Bobby Madden, a former SPFL referee, has supported the referees who oversaw Celtic’s Europa League loss to Braga.
The Hoops lost 2-0 at Parkhead on Thursday, but Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal into the far corner after he ducked past two players appeared to have tied the score early in the second half.
After examining the video, VAR verified referee Tobias Stieler’s prompt decision to throw the attempt out for handball.
Celtic fans were incensed, and the call startled Brendan Rodgers. The team is currently awaiting an explanation from UEFA.
However, Madden defended the ruling on Instagram, emphasising that Stieler’s assistant referee and fourth official saw the infraction prior to Iheanacho’s goal, not VAR after the fact. Madden claims that Stieler complied with the proper procedure by let play to continue before denying the goal when the handball was flagged.
Mark Clattenburg, a former Premier League referee, also offered his opinion, telling 67 Hail Hail that while the decision was “incredibly harsh,” it was ultimately correct in accordance with the game’s rules.
He clarified that slow-motion video revealed a light touch on Iheanacho’s arm before to the ball striking his head, even though it first seemed to come off his head.
Clattenburg stated, “As the law stands, the referee team were correct, but this doesn’t feel right.” “VAR examined every aspect and discovered contact. The initial ruling had to stand in the absence of convincing evidence to the contrary. As high-ranking officials, I never thought they would make a mistake.
xz
