Celtic suffered a frustrating afternoon at Easter Road as a controversial VAR decision denied them a crucial equaliser in their 2-1 defeat to Hibernian. Alistair Johnston’s cross to Daizen Maeda was initially deemed in play by the on-field officials, only for VAR to intervene and controversially rule the ball had crossed the line out the pitch.
Questionable VAR Call Overrules Officials
The incident occurred in the 83rd minute when Johnston worked tirelessly to keep the ball in play before setting up Maeda for what looked like a fair goal. The assistant referee and match officials did not flag any issue, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was overturned. The footage provided only a questionable angle, with no goal-line camera used to provide conclusive proof that the ball had completely crossed the line.
Celtic goal chopped off! Was the WHOLE ball out?! I think there is clearly a significant portion of the ball still hovering over the line. The onfield ref & linesman both gave it as a goal. How can VAR intervene to chop this off as a clear & obvious error?! pic.twitter.com/HocSO8xfUG
— Timothy Fellowes (@FellowsT1888) February 22, 2025
Lack of Consistency in VAR Application
One of the most frustrating aspects for Celtic fans was the inconsistency in VAR’s application. In the UEFA Champions League, multiple camera angles, including direct views along the goal line, are used to make precise decisions. However, in this instance, Celtic were left to accept a decision based on an unclear and inconclusive angle. This lack of transparency and technological consistency continues to frustrate supporters and raise questions over the fairness of VAR interventions in Scottish football.
Momentum Shift Denies Celtic a Comeback
At 2-1 down, the Hoops were building momentum and looked set to push for a late equaliser. Maeda’s disallowed goal would have set up a frantic final few minutes, but instead, Celtic were left chasing a game where they should have been level. Despite their best efforts in stoppage time, Brendan Rodgers’ side were unable to find another breakthrough, leaving them with a bitter sense of injustice.
Celtic Demand Answers
Brendan Rodgers and his team will undoubtedly seek clarification on why such an important decision was made without definitive proof. Supporters are growing tired of big moments going against them, and this latest controversy will only fuel further debate over the standard of officiating in Scottish football.
