The VAR audio for the contentious handball that resulted in a Celtic penalty against Kilmarnock has been released.
In September, the Hoops faced Killie at Rugby Park, and the score remained 1-1 after six minutes of stoppage time.
In the dying seconds, James Forrest fired a shot that hit Kilmarnock defender Robbie Deas’ knee and rebounded onto Lewis Mayo’s outstretched forearm at close range.
VAR identified the incident and carefully examined the camera angles before suggesting an on-field review to referee John Beaton.
Beaton reviewed a few video before deciding that Mayo committed handball and so awarded a penalty, which Kelechi Iheanacho converted for a 2-1 victory.
The incident sparked outrage after the game, with Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell furious that his team was penalised.
Now, a few weeks after the incident, Sky Sports has released the whole audio from the VAR control room as officials review the decision.
VAR audio for Celtic penalty against Kilmarnock is made public.
Matthew MacDermid was the VAR for the event, and he originally wanted to ensure that the ball struck Mayo’s forearm.
He next seeks to assess whether the arm was ‘outstretched from the body’ by consulting with his assistant, Ross Hardie.
Hardie observes Mayo’s forearm ‘stretched somewhat’ but his upper arm is pinned to his body.
MacDermid admits that the ball deflects off Deas and into Mayo’s arm, but he suggests an on-field review for a potential penalty kick since the arm is outstretched away from the body and rises to shoulder height.
MacDermid walks Beaton through the video on the pitchside monitor, emphasising that the ball bounces off Deas before striking Mayo’s arm.
He does, however, reveal that Mayo’s arm has been lifted to shoulder height and is separated from his torso. Beaton quickly confirms that he will award Celtic a penalty but will not issue a yellow card for the incident.
How Kilmarnock boss Kettlewell reacted to Celtic penalty award
According to Kettlewell, a meeting at the start of the season clarified that if a ball deflects off an opponent or your own player and hits a hand or arm from a short distance, it is not considered a penalty.
He told Sky Sports after the game: “This is where I’ll attempt to be factual. We will all debate and begin to discuss it. I’ve spoken with a few individuals here, both inside and outside, and they’re all amazed that it’s been awarded as a penalty.
“The reason for this is that we were told at the beginning of the season that if a ball ricochets off an opponent or your own player from such a distance that the two players are almost touching each other trying to block the ball, and the ball is going across the goal, not into the net, it is no longer a penalty.
“That is what I heard, as did the staff and the players. So, once again, we come around in a circle and ask for confirmation. Is that the case, or not?
xz
