๐ค Reflections on last night's Celtic penalty.
I'm not trying to convince anyone, really, more laying out an alternative viewpoint amongst what I consider to be pretty absurd hysteria. There are also some mistruths about the VAR process being portrayed as neutral objectivity that I think deserve to be challenged.
Does the ball hit his arm? For me, the footage shows this.
Is his arm in an unnatural position and making his body bigger? It's above shoulder height and in front of his head. The ball strikes his arm before his head. Personally, I don't feel his arm being there is justified by his body movement. Intent is irrelevant.
Is it a clear and obvious error? There's a popular misconception there has to have been a 'clear and obvious error' for VAR to recommend a VAR review. Per the IFAB guidance, this is not true. A referee can also be called to the monitor if they communicate to the VAR that they haven't seen or made a decision on an incident VAR has flagged as a potential penalty. This is called a 'serious missed incident'.
I think, until the audio is released, it's reasonable to assume John Beaton did not rule on whether it was a handball or not before the review, so 'clear and obvious error' would not apply. He didn't have to make a decision on allowing play to continue because the ball almost immediately went out of play and he was told to delay.
It's fair to surmise that Dallas' only role was flagging to Beaton there was a potential handball, not suggesting he had made a grave error. IFAB guidance also makes clear that for subjective decisions, including handball considerations, a pitchside review is appropriate. Beaton approached the monitor and made a decision on the evidence available to him.
Taking all of this into consideration, even if you feel it wasn't a penalty, I am struggling to comprehend the outrage as if this were either the most corrupt decision in the history of Scottish football or the 'worst VAR decision' in history.
I feel there's been a lack of balance or relevant knowledge on broadcasts. I think mainstream pundits suggesting there is a pattern of assistance for Celtic in this title race is hysterical nonsense that is ordinarily mocked by most in less tense times.
For the record, and I know this goes against many Celtic fans, I don't believe any club feels the benefit of biased refereeing.
I think referees in this country are generally poor and lack consistency and I think the version of VAR that we have in Scottish football is fundamentally flawed because of cheap infrastructure.
Going back to the penalty itself, the biggest point of contention would be on the concept of his body being 'unnaturally bigger'. In this case I feel the decision could really go either way depending on the viewpoint of the referee. I don't think it's massively egregious to say it is a penalty.
It can be 'harsh', 'unlucky' and 'soft' and still be a reasonable conclusion for the referee to award a penalty. Or at least be reasonable enough not to suggest it is a 'worldwide' embarrassment and/or cheating.
I'm not entirely ignorant of my own bias. I fully understand it's easier to go 'well, what's the big deal here?' when the decision goes in favour of the team you support and professionally cover. It's going to generate noise, I get that. Yet, there's something uneasy about the fervour with which this is being labelled as objectively a 'disgusting' crime against Hearts and their title bid.
Celtic have earned 19 points with goals scored after the 80th minute this season. They're finding a way. It might be enough.
Rage on!
๐จโจ Last remaining tickets!
Donโt miss out and join Hoopy & Hailey for an evening packed with Christmas cheer and fun activities for the whole family! ๐๐
Get your tickets below!
@CelticFC | #ChristmasAppeal2025
๐โจ We can't wait to welcome all our #CelticSleepOut participants to Paradise on Saturday!
There is still time to take part - last remaining tickets available below!๐
๐๐ชฃ Our Annual Christmas Appeal Bucket Collection is today!
Volunteers will be around the stadium from 2:15pm until kick-off ๐๏ธ
For those who cannot attend the match but would still like to make a contribution, they can do so below ๐
๐ @FoundationCFC are delighted to launch their 2025 Christmas Appeal with the incredible support of Celtic legend, Paul McStay! โจ
Weโre inviting the Celtic family to once again share the Spirit of Christmas with those who need it most ๐
#ChristmasAppeal2025
โจ๐ Sleep Out Under the Stars at Paradise! ๐
Our Glasgow Sleep Out returns to Celtic Park on Saturday, November 15, raising vital funds to help those most in need this festive season ๐ซ
Please join us and help make a real difference ๐
@CelticFC | #ChristmasAppeal202โจ๐ Sleep Out Under the Stars at Paradise! ๐
Our Glasgow Sleep Out returns to Celtic Park on Saturday, November 15, raising vital funds to help those most in need this festive season ๐ซ
Please join us and help make a real difference ๐
@CelticFC | #ChristmasAppeal202โจ๐ Sleep Out Under the Stars at Paradise! ๐
Our Glasgow Sleep Out returns to Celtic Park on Saturday, November 15, raising vital funds to help those most in need this festive season ๐ซ
Please join us and help make a real difference ๐
@CelticFC | #ChristmasAppeal2025
๐๐ฎ๐ช Donโt miss #CeltsByTheSea in Cork!
๐๏ธ Grab your evening tickets to see #CelticFC legend @chris_sutton73, enjoy live music and much more โคต๏ธ
๐๐ฎ๐ช Join us in Cork for #CeltsByTheSea!
Evening tickets are now available for a night with #CelticFC legend @chris_sutton73 and live music!
And there's still time to join us for the stunning Ballycotton Cliff Walk earlier in the day ๐คฉ
Get involved โคต๏ธ๐๐๐ฎ๐ช Join us in Cork for #CeltsByTheSea!
Evening tickets are now available for a night with #CelticFC legend @chris_sutton73 and live music!
And there's still time to join us for the stunning Ballycotton Cliff Walk earlier in the day ๐คฉ
Get involved โคต๏ธ๐๐๐ฎ๐ช Join us in Cork for #CeltsByTheSea!
Evening tickets are now available for a night with #CelticFC legend @chris_sutton73 and live music!
And there's still time to join us for the stunning Ballycotton Cliff Walk earlier in the day ๐คฉ
Get involved โคต๏ธ๐๐๐ฎ๐ช Join us in Cork for #CeltsByTheSea!
Evening tickets are now available for a night with #CelticFC legend @chris_sutton73 and live music!
And there's still time to join us for the stunning Ballycotton Cliff Walk earlier in the day ๐คฉ
Get involved โคต๏ธ๐๐๐ฎ๐ช Join us in Cork for #CeltsByTheSea!
Evening tickets are now available for a night with #CelticFC legend @chris_sutton73 and live music!
And there's still time to join us for the stunning Ballycotton Cliff Walk earlier in the day ๐คฉ
Get involved โคต๏ธ๐๏ธ
Over 50 incredible supporters walked ๐ miles in the sunshine yesterday- from Billy McNeillโs statue in Bellshill to Celtic Park- in honour of our legendary captain ๐โ๏ธ
Tap below to read more โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๏ฟฝOver 50 incredible supporters walked ๐ miles in the sunshine yesterday- from Billy McNeillโs statue in Bellshill to Celtic Park- in honour of our legendary captain ๐โ๏ธ
Tap below to read more โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๏ฟฝOver 50 incredible supporters walked ๐ miles in the sunshine yesterday- from Billy McNeillโs statue in Bellshill to Celtic Park- in honour of our legendary captain ๐โ๏ธ
Tap below to read more โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๏ฟฝOver 50 incredible supporters walked ๐ miles in the sunshine yesterday- from Billy McNeillโs statue in Bellshill to Celtic Park- in honour of our legendary captain ๐โ๏ธ
Tap below to read more โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๐
๐ James Forrest: The Most Decorated Player in Celticโs History
26 trophies. One club.
Congratulations to a true Celtic legend ๐
#FOURItsAGrandOldTeam | #CelticFC๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐ช As we gear up for the inaugural Cork Super Cup this July, @FoundationCFC have announced their return to County Cork on Saturday, June 28 for their #CeltsbytheSea event!
More Info โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๏ฟฝ๐๐ฎ๐ช As we gear up for the inaugural Cork Super Cup this July, @FoundationCFC have announced their return to County Cork on Saturday, June 28 for their #CeltsbytheSea event!
More Info โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๏ฟฝ๐๐ฎ๐ช As we gear up for the inaugural Cork Super Cup this July, @FoundationCFC have announced their return to County Cork on Saturday, June 28 for their #CeltsbytheSea event!
More Info โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๏ฟฝ๐๐ฎ๐ช As we gear up for the inaugural Cork Super Cup this July, @FoundationCFC have announced their return to County Cork on Saturday, June 28 for their #CeltsbytheSea event!
More Info โคต๏ธ
#CelticFC๐
๐ฆ๐ถ Join us and take on a ๐-mile sponsored walk, in tribute to Billy McNeill ๐
Click below to sign up! โคต๐ฆ๐ถ Join us and take on a ๐-mile sponsored walk, in tribute to Billy McNeill ๐
Click below to sign up! โคต๐ฆ๐ถ Join us and take on a ๐-mile sponsored walk, in tribute to Billy McNeill ๐
Click below to sign up! โคต๐ฆ๐ถ Join us and take on a ๐-mile sponsored walk, in tribute to Billy McNeill ๐
Click below to sign up! โคต๐ฆ๐ถ Join us and take on a ๐-mile sponsored walk, in tribute to Billy McNeill ๐
Click below to sign up! โคต๐ฆ๐ถ Join us and take on a ๐-mile sponsored walk, in tribute to Billy McNeill ๐
Click below to sign up! โคต๏ธ
โ๏ธโจ Thrilled to announce our first-ever Clover Ball!
Join us for a night of glamour and live entertainment at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow on June 13, 2025 ๐ฅ
Read more โคต๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ถ Join us to take on a 10-mile sponsored walk, in tribute to Billy McNeill, from Cesarโs statue in Bellshill to his statue on The Celtic Way ๐
Click below to sign up!