Celtic have called for an urgent review into how VAR is implemented in Scottish football after their appeal against Auston Trusty’s dismissal was booted out by the SFA.
A three-game ban, handed down for the defender’s second red card of the season, means he will miss Sunday’s Old Firm crunch at Ibrox and matches against Aberdeen and Motherwell.
The American centre-back was sent off by referee Matthew MacDermid for lashing out with his arm and striking Jamie McGrath on the hand as the pair tussled at a set-piece in last Sunday’s 2-1 Premiership win for Hibs at Parkhead.
However, following last night’s fast-track disciplinary hearing, Celtic complained that officials had been guilty of ‘re-refereeing’ the match after video assistant Grant Irvine flagged the incident.
A club statement read: ‘We are hugely disappointed at today’s decision, which will now result in Auston Trusty being suspended for three matches after an “arm to arm” contact as he looked to release himself from being held prior to the ball coming into play – the kind of incident which features in games across the country week in week out.
‘The match audio demonstrates that the referee saw the incident clearly. Immediately following the incident, the referee said: “It’s nothing I’m just going to speak to them” in terms of no further action being required.
Auston Trusty trots off after being red carded by referee Matthew MacDermid last Sunday
Defender Trusty looks back in disbelief after being dismissed following VAR intervention
‘In discussions with Celtic manager Martin O’Neill after the match, this was something he also confirmed.
‘However, VAR again decided to intervene to “re-referee” an initial decision which had been made.
‘While we await the written judgment, this and other decisions in the match and in other recent games demonstrate a serious issue with VAR and its current deployment which needs urgently reviewed.’
Boss O’Neill had admitted immediately after the game that he did not anticipate a successful outcome in the event of an appeal.
‘Personally, I wouldn’t have thought so, myself,’ he said. ‘I don’t know. Obviously the referee has explained to me that’s what VAR said, it was violent conduct. I don’t think anyone will change their minds about that.’
However, skipper Callum McGregor later stated: ‘We may as well all go up the road and stop playing football if that’s going to be a red card every single week.’
Trusty was sent off against Hearts last month for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, with Celtic’s appeal against that decision also dismissed by the SFA at the time.
It now leaves O’Neill with a major selection headache ahead of the trip to Ibrox as his team desperately try to cling on in the title race.
It’s likely that either Brentford loanee Benjamin Arthur or academy graduate Dane Murray will be asked to partner Liam Scales in central defence.
Referee MacDermid flashes red card, with Celtic’s subsequent appeal being thrown out
Martin O’Neill shouts out the orders during his team’s 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Celtic Park
Kieran Tierney could also be an option, particularly if O’Neill chooses to change the system and revert to a back three.
Celtic are back in action on Thursday night as they seek to overturn a 4-1 deficit in Stuttgart in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, St Mirren won their appeal against Richard King’s red card in last Saturday’s 5-0 home defeat to Motherwell.
With his team trailing 3-0 early in the second half, the defender was sent off for swinging his hand in the direction of Callum Slattery, who had been holding him.
There appeared to be minimal contact before Slattery went down holding his face.
After the appeal was upheld yesterday, King will now be available for Saturday’s trip to Livingston.
The Paisley club said: ‘While we are pleased with this outcome, we are frustrated by the decision taken on the field and the requirement to go to an appeals process. We are determined to work together with the SFA’s refereeing department to ensure standards will improve for the benefit of our supporters and the wider Scottish game.’