WILLIE COLLUM has ruled on one of the VAR flashpoints in the past week – and said his officials got it WRONG, according to a report.
The head of refereeing at the Scottish FA was summoned to talks with Dundee United after a controversial call by video ref Matthew McDermid.
Sam Dalby is the league’s top scorer[/caption]
But he was denied a goal – to Jim Goodwin’s anger[/caption]
Willie Collum met with the club[/caption]
He ruled out Sam Dalby’s header for a perceived handball in United’s 3-1 defeat by Hibs.
The game was tied at 1-1 when the on-loan Wrexham striker knocked in, what he thought, was a go-ahead goal for Jim Goodwin‘s side.
However it was ruled out after a review of the build-up – the second controversial call from CLydesdale House in days.
On Saturday, Celtic had a goal chalked off by VAR Alan Muir who believed Alistair Johnston‘s cut-back for Daizen Maeda had slid out of play.
That’s an opinion fiercely disputed by Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers.
However Collum is said to have ruled on the other flashpoint at Tannadice, the Daily Record has claimed.
They say United held a meeting with the refs’ chief and listened to the audio discussions between the VAR studio and on-field ref David Dickinson.
And Collum has agreed with the club’s complaint.
The report states: “There is a general acceptance from all parties that there wasn’t enough evidence for VAR to intervene and disallow the goal for an offence that had been deemed to be a factual overturn.”
The result dents United’s European football ambitions and afterwards boss Goodwin bemaoned the call, saying: “European football, financially, means a hell of a lot to us as a club, you know and for those big decisions to go against us it could be costly come the end of the season.
“If it was clear and obvious that it had hit his hand, then, you know, the decision will be made in 10 or 15 seconds, won’t it?
“With all the angles that the VAR guys have got. But for it to take three and a half minutes, it is you know, it’s a hell of a time to actually find something wrong with it.
“If you’re not sure, then you’ve got to award a goal.
“I cannot see for the life of me, you know, how that goal can be disallowed.”
Celtic fans are also eagerly awaiting the outcome of the KMI panel meeting this week – expected to cover their own contested strike.
Some even cited a Gary Neville ‘optical illusion‘ segment from Sky Sports where he showed a variety of angles where the ball looks out of play – but is still overhanging the white-line and therefore still on the pitch following a similar controversy in England last season.
The Hoops have asked for answers from Hampden HQ.
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