Officials got two major decisions wrong in the opening four weeks of the new season, Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum has conceded.
And he was also critical of referee Matthew MacDermid’s body language in the lead up to what he believes was a correctly awarded League Cup goal scored by Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers against St Johnstone.
Collum highlighted eight controversial incidents in The VAR Review, a new monthly show on the Scottish FA’s YouTube channel.
He concluded that Celtic should have been awarded a penalty in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock, while Dundee United ought to have had a spot-kick for hand ball in their 2-2 draw with Dundee – both on the opening weekend.
But Collum, who assumed the role during the summer, said he was “content with the start we’ve made”.
He added: “We realised very quickly we had to improve on-field decision making and decision making in the VOR .
“We feel our referees, our assistants, our match officials and VARs have made a step in the right direction. Obviously we still see room for improvement.”
Hearts thought they should have had a penalty when Yan Dhanda‘s cross struck Connor Barron‘s elbow during the 0-0 draw at Tynecastle.
Collum says this incident “shows the direction of travel we want to take with handball” since he took charge, highlighting the short distance between the two players and Barron’s arm being tight to his body.
“There was a lack of understanding of many hand balls last season,” he said. “Probably last season, that would have been awarded.
“But, for us, the key point is that the arm is tucked into the body. The player does not make his body bigger.”
Kyogo Furuhashi collided with Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie as the Celtic striker met a free-kick chipped over the defence during the Glasgow side’s win.
Referee Don Robertson and VAR officials concluded during the game that “the goalkeeper just makes himself big”.
However, Collum said: “We believe this was the wrong decision. We have coached the referees and the VARs that a penalty kick should have been awarded here.
“It is an unexpected free-kick with the way the ball is chipped. It catches the on-field referee by surprise and it’s very difficult for the referee to find an angle round that wall to get a proper view.
“The Celtic player clearly gets ahead and touches the ball past the goalkeeper and we then think the goalkeeper’s actions are reckless. An off-field review should have been requested and the referee asked to come to the monitor.”
United’s claims for a penalty were denied by referee David Dickinson after the ball struck the arm of Dundee defender Luke Graham during their first derby of the Premiership season.
“This was a missed handball,” Collum said. “The ball firstly travels from distance, from a corner kick.
“The Dundee player, when he jumps, his arm is in an unnatural position and he’s not jostling with an opponent.”
Kilmarnock thought they should have a penalty when Danny Armstrong went down under a challenge from Andre Raymond during St Johnstone’s 3-0 win.
Referee Chris Graham booked the home winger for simulation, but VAR decided that his heel had been clipped, but it was outside the penalty box.
“This is a wrong decision on-field,” Collum said. “It is a foul, it is a trip and, when the VAR sees it’s outside the box, it’s impossible for the VAR to become involved.
“It is a quirk. Had it been a yard further, VAR could have become involved and the decision overturned and a penalty given. It is impossible for us to fix it through VAR.”
Dessers’ goal in Rangers’ 2-0 win was controversial at the time, with St Johnstone players and manager Craig Levein claiming their defenders had been distracted by referee MacDermid signalling for a free-kick in their favour.
“Here, the referee probably doesn’t display good body language,” Collum admitted. “His body language when the challenge is made is edging towards a free-kick.
“But he correctly delays the whistle, he correctly communicates so the VAR is aware of what he intends doing if a goal is scored and, when the ball hits the net, he then blows his whistle for what he deems to be a defensive free-kick.
“VAR checks and realises the Rangers player hasn’t committed a foul and they therefore recommend an on-field review.
“Apart from the body language, the correct process was followed and ultimately the correct decision was reached.”
Collum also pointed out that the audio recording disproved claims that the referee had blown his whistle before the goal was scored.
Celtic eased aside Hibs 3-1 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals but felt they should have had a spot kick when winger James Forrest was sandwiched between two visiting defenders.
However, Collum concluded that, although there was a coming together of upper bodies, referee Kevin Clancy and VAR officials were correct to say there was “not enough contact for a penalty kick” from centre-back Marvin Ekpiteta.
Another Dessers goal, with Ross County this time claiming it should have been disallowed because Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence had fouled Connor Randall in the build-up during their 6-0 defeat.
“It is a clear foul for me the referee has missed on-field,” Collum conceded. “It is a reckless tackle by the Rangers player. But VAR is not there to re-referee the match.”
Collum points out that “there are far too many passes” between the foul and the goal, it therefore is not part of the same attacking phase of play and VAR was unable to intervene.
Brad Lyons was initially booked by referee MacDermid for a challenge on Ester Sokler during Aberdeen’s 2-0 win at home to Kilmarnock, but the visiting midfielder was sent off following a VAR review.
“We are happy that the VAR recommended an on-field review and that the card was overturned from yellow to red,” Collum said.
“We don’t think the player is in complete control. We think the point of contact was high – it is on the shin – and it therefore endangers the safety of the opponent.”
