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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Ewan Paton

'Worst ever' VAR decision at centre of Celtic handball drama

The decision by VAR to chalk off Kelechi Iheanacho's goal for Celtic during last night's defeat to Braga has been branded the 'worst ever'.

As Brendan Rodgers' side chased the game in Glasgow, the striker did well to win the ball before bearing down on goal to score with a left-footed shot across the goalkeeper.

This looked to have levelled the encounter - until VAR intervened.

Iheanacho was penalised for handball, with the ball seemingly brushing off his arm amid his challenge with a Braga defender.

The visitors would go on to score a second to see out a comfortable 2-0 win in Scotland.

However, that hasn't taken away from an awful call made by VAR, according to former QPR and Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd.

"I actually looked at this goal yesterday before I went to sleep," he told Sky Sports. "And I thought 'oh good finish, great goal, they're back in it.'

"I woke up this morning and I had a message from the producer saying 'what about the VAR decision at Celtic?'

"I thought it was another decision. I've seen that and it's laughable. It is laughable.

"It's clearly hit him on his head and he's gone through. Where have they seen that handball?

"My question is are they seeing different replays? Because if they are, they need to come out and show that replay that they've seen to determine that it was a handball.


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"And to answer your question, yes, it's the worst that I've ever seen.

"It was a great goal, on his left foot as well. VAR is there to give absolute clarity so I don't understand how they've got that wrong.

"They must have looked at that again about 10 times. We've seen decisions in the past they've looked at over and over and over again.

"I can't see what they've seen there and I'd like to hear from them. I think everyone would like to hear from them.

"Show that replay you have because it must be different from the one we've seen."

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