Celtic and Dundee United Penalty Denials: Referee Willie Collum's First VAR Review

Head of Referees Willie Collum Reviews VAR Decisions in Scottish Football

Willie Collum, the Scottish Football Association's head of referees, has analyzed several controversial decisions made during the first few weeks of the season in his new monthly segment called 'The VAR Review' on the SFA's YouTube channel. His insights shed light on the usage of VAR and review critical incidents involving teams like Celtic and Dundee United.

Celtic's Penalty Controversy

One significant incident highlighted by Collum involved a potential penalty for Celtic during their match against Kilmarnock. The situation occurred when Kyogo Furuhashi managed to touch the ball past goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, resulting in a collision that was deemed a free-kick instead of a penalty.

According to Collum, "We believe this was the wrong decision. A penalty kick should have been awarded here as the goalkeeper's actions were reckless." He explained that the on-field referee might have been caught off-guard, indicating that an off-field review should have been requested to reassess the situation through the VAR monitor.

Concerns Over Dundee United's Handball Claims

Collum also addressed claims made by Dundee United regarding a missed handball appeal. Referee David Dickinson refused a penalty after the ball struck defender Luke Graham's arm. Collum pointed out that the arm was in an unnatural position and suggested that this was a clear case of handball that had been overlooked.

Rangers' Goal Against St Johnstone Dissected

Another topic of discussion in Collum's review was a contentious goal scored by Rangers against St Johnstone, where striker Cyriel Dessers dispossessed defender Jack Sanders. There were claims that the defenders were misled by referee Matthew MacDermid’s signaling for a free-kick.

Collum clarified that an audio recording of the incident confirmed the referee did not blow his whistle prior to the goal being scored. However, he acknowledged there was an issue with the referee's body language, noting that it appeared to indicate a free-kick was imminent, potentially confusing players on the field.

The Importance of VAR in Scottish Football

Collum’s insights reveal the importance and complexities of VAR in enhancing decision-making within matches. The technology aims to ensure that crucial decisions are made correctly, but it requires clear communication from referees on the field to aid understanding among players and spectators.

Looking Forward: Enhancing Referee Training

As Collum continues to oversee the refereeing standards in Scottish football, his focus will likely remain on improving education and communication strategies among officials. By addressing these lapses, the aim is to ensure a more coherent flow of the game and satisfaction for fans, players, and coaching staff alike.

Stay Updated with Sky Sports

Scottish football fans can find extensive coverage on Sky Sports, which includes domestic football from the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Women's Premier League. Sky Sports provides rolling editorial insights, match highlights, and live blog coverage to keep fans updated.

For more detailed analyses and the latest updates in Scottish football, watch out for 'The VAR Review' on the SFA channel and keep an eye on Sky Sports for comprehensive coverage throughout the season.