Scottish FA VAR Panel Reviews Controversial Penalties

The Scottish FA's Key Match Incident Review Panel deemed that Dundee United should not have been awarded a controversial late penalty in their match against Hibernian, with three out of five members believing VAR incorrectly prompted a review. In a separate incident, the panel was split regarding a penalty awarded to Aberdeen in their victory over Rangers, with four members supporting the VAR intervention for a handball by John Souttar, while one disagreed. Dundee's complaints regarding a penalty in their match against Celtic were also dismissed by the panel, which unanimously backed the on-field referee's decisions. The panel's reviews highlight ongoing contention surrounding VAR's role in Scottish football, with varying opinions on the clarity of fouls and handballs leading to divided conclusions. The decisions reflect a broader struggle within the league to achieve consistency and clarity in officiating. These reviews are part of the SFA's efforts to ensure transparency in the application of VAR during matches.