VAR Delays Spark Debate After Celtic’s Win Over Ross County
Former referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has criticized the lengthy delays in VAR decisions, following an incident during Celtic’s dominant 4-1 victory over Ross County. Hackett, speaking to Football Insider, emphasized that while VAR reached the correct decision to award Celtic a penalty in stoppage time, the process took far too long, detracting from the overall experience for fans and players alike.
The match saw Brendan Rodgers’ side take an early lead through Kyogo Furuhashi before Ross County equalized from the penalty spot. As the game progressed, Furuhashi restored Celtic’s advantage with a well-timed header. Deep into added time, a controversial challenge involving Celtic’s Yang Hyun-Jun and Ross County’s James Brown led to a four-minute VAR review before the penalty was awarded to the visitors. Hackett believes such delays undermine the integrity and efficiency of VAR, stating, “Fans will struggle to trust the process if decisions take this long.”
Hackett acknowledged that the referee’s initial hesitation was understandable given the unclear view of the incident. However, he asserted that the VAR review should have resolved the situation more swiftly. “This was a clear foul. On review, it should have been an immediate call. A four-minute delay puts the entire process in question,” he explained. Hackett further stressed the importance of improving decision-making speed to ensure fan engagement and trust in the technology.
Arne Engels converted the penalty after his initial attempt was saved but ruled invalid due to the Ross County goalkeeper stepping off his line. Engels’ successful retake extended Celtic’s lead, and a late goal by Luke McCowan sealed a comfortable win, leaving Celtic 18 points ahead of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
While the victory bolstered Celtic’s title aspirations, the incident has reignited the ongoing debate about VAR’s implementation. Many fans and pundits are calling for reforms to enhance the speed and transparency of the review process. Hackett’s critique highlights a recurring issue that, if unresolved, could continue to frustrate fans and hinder the acceptance of VAR in modern football.