VAR has become a thorn in the side of Celtic supporters this season, causing more frustration than clarity. Initially introduced to streamline officiating and reduce errors, the technology has only led to increased controversy and bafflement among fans, who are perplexed by the inconsistent application of decisions.
The Celtic team has borne the brunt of VAR mishaps, prompting a fiery response from manager Brendan Rodgers and former player Simon Donnelly. Donnelly, in particular, expressed his dissatisfaction with a recent non-penalty decision, highlighting the perplexing nature of VAR rulings.
In a recent commentary, Donnelly criticized the decision not to award Celtic a penalty, citing the incident where Daizen Maeda’s shot struck a St Johnstone defender’s arm. Drawing comparisons to past decisions, Donnelly emphasized the frustration caused by the lack of consistency in VAR calls.
While acknowledging that the specific handball incident may not have warranted a penalty, Donnelly underscored the juxtaposition with previous decisions to illustrate the arbitrary nature of VAR decisions. The lack of coherence in applying the rules has left Celtic fans disillusioned, emphasizing the need for the Scottish Football Association to address the issue promptly.
As discussions around VAR intensify, it is clear that the SFA faces a daunting task in ensuring fair and consistent officiating. With tensions running high and discrepancies in rulings becoming more apparent, it seems that the controversy surrounding VAR is far from over, leaving fans and players alike questioning the system’s effectiveness.
