VAR Controversy – This has all become very tribal as war on VAR intensifies

VAR Controversy – This has all become very tribal as war on VAR intensifies

The issue surrounding Celtic’s recent defeat to Hearts has heated up, with the club publicly appealing Yang Hyun-jun’s controversial red card and vocally criticizing the match officials, notably the usage of VAR.

During the match, Yang was initially given a yellow card for a high boot on Alex Cochrane, which was later upgraded to a red card by referee Don Robertson after reviewing VAR.

This decision forced Celtic to play the duration of the game with just ten men.

The issue exacerbated when Celtic’s Tomoki Iwata was awarded a penalty for an alleged handball, a judgment that was widely questioned,

with the exception of John Beaton in the VAR booth.

Brendan Rodgers, Celtic manager, did not mince words after the game, criticizing Beaton’s involvement and the entire officiating.

The Press Box podcast, which included journalists Grahan Spiers and Stephen McGowan discussing the incident, exacerbated the discussion over VAR’s efficacy and position in football.

McGowan expressed growing worry among football fans that, rather than explaining judgments, VAR is confusing the game and detracting from its enjoyment.

He said that the involvement in the Yang incident was unnecessary because there was no “clear and obvious” error in the initial yellow card decision.

“To be honest with you, I find everything depressing. This has all become quite tribal, which is not what it should be.

Everyone should agree that VAR is a pig in a poke. It ruins the football spectacle for all teams. VAR has become an expensive failure for every club and supporter base.

“People have no notion what the fee is for VAR involvement, as we witnessed yesterday. What is clear and obvious? Nobody seems to know; it’s all over the place.

“Look at Don Robertson. Yang received a yellow card. I thought that was fine; it could be one of these one-and-a-half yellow cards, but the referee handled it, so be it.

There is nothing clear and obvious that was an error, giving a yellow card.

“You can argue for a red card because he is threatening an opponent, but it is not a clear-cut mistake on the part of the ref in my opinion.

VAR should not go anywhere near it!

“You are dangerously close to VAR re-refereeing the game which is what Brendan Rodgers was saying afterwards.”

CeltsAreHere knows that Celtic has sought the tape and has previously expressed concerns to the SFA.

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