Bobby Madden delivers unflinching verdict on 9 VAR controversies as Celtic fury and Rangers claim answered.
It’s been an explosive week in Scottish football, with the former referee offering his professional view.
Bobby Madden has given his professional opinion on the major VAR moments making news recently, including games and decisions involving Premier League teams.
In a post-match outburst, Brendan Rodgers accused referee Don Robertson and VAR official John Beaton of causing his team’s defeat to Hearts. He filed an SFA charge after disputing the penalty granted to Tomoki Iwata for handball and Yang’s red card.
Former top flight whistler Madden has criticized VAR technology, claiming it has made ‘totally wrong’ crucial decisions. He expressed his opinion on BBC Sportsound. Speaking about VAR and summarizing it generally, he stated: “It hasn’t been going well in the last few weeks. I don’t think anyone can say that VAR has improved the game in Scotland. There are definitely many high-profile choices, and although some may divide opinion, others, in my opinion, are utterly incorrect, which should not be the case given VAR.
St Mirren penalty claim away at Ross County
“I watched the game live. There was talk of a potential foul that would have been a penalty kick and obviously the handball which was identified. What I would say is it would be highly challenging for any match official to identify that contact live. But then it is the responsibility of VAR to identify that contact.
“I am in one Whatsapp group now with a couple of ex and current referees. We talk about decisions and the only reason I can suggest for that not being awarded was the reason that was then shared with the BBC. They didn’t even check for the handball and that is not acceptable. It is not acceptable.”
Hearts penalty award at Hibs.
“It is just not a penalty. We’re going to agree on this. Again, fully accept your decision. It seems that there was contact there.
I will always have sympathy. I was in the game for 20 years. When you are summoned for an on-field review, the referee, in my opinion, says, ‘I’ve seen contact there; it is there.’You must be able to distance yourself from that situation and say, “Yes, there is contact, but it is not a penalty kick,” and then have the courage to go reverse the decision.
Ross McCausland challenge vs Motherwell
“I’ve watched the McCausland challenge several times. I hopped between yellow and red. Eventually, I decided on red for significant foul play because I believe the pace at which he enters that challenge endangers the opponent. Playing ball isn’t an excuse. For me, entering a challenge at that pace puts your safety at risk.
“I believe that when [Dan] Casey makes the challenge, the extension of the sole of his boot rises up. For me, that is a natural movement. But the pace of the challenge, contacting the opponent’s shin, is deadly.”
Kilmarnock red card vs Dundee
“Frivolous appeal. I was surprised when I heard the comments from Derek McInnes. There is a foul which starts outside the penalty area that continues into the penalty area. There is no opportunity to play the ball it is a clear denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity so it is a red card.
Warnock on time VAR took to give St Mirren penalty
“It took too long. It took over four minutes but what you would say it was two decisions that day that took close to four minutes or over. That was on the back of the midweek decision that VAR has probably checked a situation too quickly and missed a handball that the majority believe was punishable up at Ross County. I think there has been a little nervousness.”
Celtic pen vs Hearts
“So the first penalty of the match, no.”
“It all depends on whether there was contact with the studs. People claim that Scotland differs from England, as does UEFA/FIFA. Every year, UEFA sends out clips for the referee assistant program. If you make contact with studs on the head or face, expect a red card. That is the standard that referees strive toward.
“If you make it with the laces or the side of the boot, avoid using too much effort. A yellow card. The referee and assistant feel I made no contact with the studs, thus I received a’reckless, yellow card’. I think it’s a yellow card. Even the tiniest contact with a stud lacks intensity.”
Hearts penalty vs Celtic
“The handball.” No, not punishable. I think most people were astonished to see that, but I believe VARs can get caught in this tunnel and observe the contact and arm moving. There is no distance, and the surprise ball deflected from a teammate is so near that it cannot be a handball.”
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