Honest Mistakes - Week 14
SPFL week 14 saw Celtic travel to Motherwell, and the limitations of the Scottish version of VAR writ large, whilst The Rangers took on Heart of Midlothian at Ibrox.
As ever, the Yorkshire Whistler is here to adjudicate on the big calls.
The impact of that call being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL.
09/11/22 Motherwell vs Celtic
Incident 1
Referee Willie Collum Game Minute 59th
Incident Jota scores for Celtic Outcome Offside against Jota and free kick to Motherwell Evidence (2) SPFL - YouTube
At 2:07
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Jota scores, but goal is ruled out for an offside decision
Initial on-field decision: Offside awarded against Jota, free kick awarded to Motherwell.
This looks to be an incredibly tight call that, due to technical issues already highlighted by yourself, was made from a camera at the other end of the pitch.
Based on using the evidence/footage available, my feeling is that the Celtic player is on the wrong end of a marginal decision.
To my eyes, he looks level with the defender as the pass is played. I would, on this incident, have applied the ‘benefit of the doubt’ to the attacker and made an ‘on side’ call.
Verdict: Incorrect decision to disallow the goal for offside.
Expected Points
Outcome
Celtic -0.8 xPts
Incident 2
Referee Willie Collum Game Minute 81st
Incident Starfelt is fouled by Morris Outcome Foul to Celtic and YC to Morris Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2022/23: 09/11/2022
At 7:40
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Starfelt fouled by Morris
Initial on field decision: Foul and free kick to Celtic. Morris cautioned for the tackle.
Morris comes in from distance and catches Starfelt late. This is certainly a reckless tackle and the yellow card is fully justified. There is also the question of whether this was punishment enough and did the tackle warrant a red card for a tackle of excessive force/endangering player safety?
On reflection I think the yellow card was the correct colour issued. Yes, the leg is extended and the studs are showing but Morris turns his leg at the last moment to avoid the studs planting in Starfelt’s leg and it is the momentum of the player’s left ankle that catches Starfelt’s trailing leg.
I could have understood at full speed, if a red card had been brandished at the time by the referee, but on reviewing the video replay, do not believe the referee made a clear and obvious in only showing Morris the yellow card for this challenge.
Verdict: Correct decision to caution the player
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Incident 3
Referee Willie Collum Game Minute 84th
Incident Motherwell take a throw-in which hits Haksabanovic and Celtic score from the resulting turn over Outcome Goal to Celtic Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2022/23: 09/11/2022
At 7:58
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Motherwell throw in hits Haksabanovic before Celtic go on to score
Initial on-field decision: Goal awarded to Celtic
Penney’s throw-in inadvertently hits the head of the Celtic player, which allows Celtic to launch a counterattack that they ultimately score from. Motherwell is asking if the throw-in should have been retaken for an infringement.
For me, the Motherwell player is at fault here, as he throws the ball at the Celtic player at close range, in an attempt to launch a quick attack. He misjudges the position of Haksabanovic who does not seem aware until the last moment that the throw-in is being taken quickly. He certainly makes no deliberate attempt to impede the throw-in, in an attempt to prevent Motherwell from attacking.
Verdict: Correct decision to allow the goal to stand and not award a Motherwell free kick
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
09/11/22 The Rangers vs Heart of Midlothian
Incident 1
Referee John Beaton Game Minute 70th
Incident Ball hits Davies in the box Outcome No decision Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2022/23: 09/11/2022
At 22:34
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Ball hits Davies in the box
Initial on field decision: No foul committed
Hearts swing a corner into The Ranger’s penalty area, the resulting knock-on hits Davies at close range and the Hearts players ask for the penalty for a handball offence.
Relatively straightforward call here. No offence was committed.
I believe it actually hits the face of the Rangers player here and the rams appear to be in a natural position specific to his movement. So, even if footage emerges that it might have hit his arm first, I would still class this as accidental handball, with no offence committed.
Verdict: Correct decision to not award the penalty.
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Summary
My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.
It seems controversy is dogging Celtic in particular in the early weeks of VAR. Just bad luck I am sure, and it will all have evened out over a season.
The import of the Jota disallowed goal is not so much the relatively trivial issue of whether one offside call was correct or not, it is in how the SFA dealt with Celtic’s subsequent query given the technology seems to have failed in this instance. That is covered fully in this article and is beyond the scope of the Yorkshire Whistler’s remit, he will no doubt be glad to know!
With the contentious use of protocols and procedures leading to Jota’s goal being ruled out, a change to the overall xPts picture for the season:
Based on the in-match game state when the decisions were made (or not made), The Rangers have 1.08 MORE points than expected due to the cumulative impact of Honest Mistakes and Celtic 3.07 LESS.
A swing of 4.15 xPts.
Celtic led by seven points after 14 matches.