The Scottish FA’s Key Match Incident (KMI) panel has ruled that Daizen Maeda’s disallowed equaliser against Hibernian should have stood, confirming that VAR made an incorrect intervention in Celtic’s 2-1 defeat at Easter Road.
Maeda’s goal in the 82nd minute was originally awarded by referee Steven McLean and his assistant, only for VAR official Alan Muir to overrule the decision, claiming that Alistair Johnston’s cross had gone out of play before reaching Maeda.
However, after reviewing the incident, the SFA’s five-member panel concluded by a 4-1 majority that the goal should have been given and that VAR was wrong to intervene.
“The majority (4:1) of the panel deemed the on-field decision of goal to be correct. They felt the factual VAR intervention for the ball being out of play was incorrect. One panel member felt VAR was correct to intervene as they believed one of the angles showed the ball out of play.” [SFA]
The ruling will only add to Celtic’s frustration, as no conclusive footage was ever provided to show the ball had completely crossed the byline. The decision cost Brendan Rodgers’ side a crucial point, and it remains unclear whether the SFA will take further action regarding the officials involved.
Alan Muir, the VAR official who made the call, has been left out of the referee appointments for this weekend, raising further questions over his role in the controversy.
While Celtic still sit 13 points clear at the top of the table, the ruling only reinforces concerns over the standard of officiating and the use of VAR in Scottish football.
