There are many constants in Scottish football and one that has crept into our game is the controversy around the introduction of VAR.
Since it went live in October last year there have been dodgy calls every week and this weekend was no exception. While officials have ironed out some of the teething problems, the handball rule has proved to be a thorn in their side. At the start of the season referees were giving spot kicks nearly every weekend for handball offences, however they have dried up since the restart following the World Cup break.
Record Sport understands no new directives have been issued to officials since the showpiece in Qatar, however things have clearly changed with refs pointing to the spot a lot less. Players and managers have called for clarity around the situation with Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou leading the calls.
In his press conference on Friday, he said: "It's just really confusing now for players in the box to know what they can or can't do, because it seems it changes depending on who is in charge of the decision-making process."
It has also been reported by the Athletic that the SFA is set to gives its views on the rule to the International Football Association Board - the body that writes the game's laws. But here, Record Sport picks out some of the most contentious decisions.
Michael Smith v Celtic
On the first weekend that VAR was introduced Hearts entertained Celtic at Tynecastle and the review system took centre stage when Jambos' defender Michael Smith appeared to hand the ball after James Forrest attempted to clip it over him. Referee Nick Walsh waved away the protests of the Celtic players while Ange Postecoglou was furious at full-time that VAR room official Steven McLean did not order the on-field whistler to the screen.
The decision also split Sportscene officials with Michael Stewart and Shelley Kerr arguing over why the penalty wasn't given. Stewart said: "Nick Walsh is in the perfection position and I think they come to the right decision. They are very quick with this one, but where is his arm meant to be?" While Kerr said: "That is still interpretation. When I watched it right away I thought it was going to be a penalty, and the reason why is watching it again I think he moves his arm up to the ball. I am not saying it's intentional. I think you see a motion towards the ball."
Alexandro Bernabei v Dundee United
Celtic conceded a penalty against Dundee United at Parkhead after Alexandro Bernabei's hand appeared to strike the ball after a Steven Fletcher header at close range. Referee David Dickinson was sent to the screen and after a lengthy delay he eventually gave the spot kick. The pen was dispatched but the controversy did not end there with pundits complaining about the decision and the length it took to give. Former Premier League Dermot Gallagher agreed with officials despite Celtic's gripe. He told Sky Sports: "The player will say he’s got his back to the ball but if you arm is up that high and the ball strikes you in the box coming back across the goal. The referees have been consistent on this; they give handball."
Connor Goldson v Celtic
Following the derby at Ibrox earlier this month Ange Postecoglou hit out at officials after Rangers defender Connor Goldson handled the ball in the area with his arms in what seemed an unnatural position. The on-field official John Beaton failed to point to the spot during the game, while VAR ref Willie Collum did not urge Beaton to look at the incident on the screen.
Following the game pundits thought the referees got the wrong call, while Postecoglou vented ahead of Celtic's clash with Kilmarnock on Saturday. He said: "There has been zero consistency and these things normally even themselves out. But with the introduction of VAR and the decisions that have gone against us, there's zero chance that's going to even out by the end of the season. It's just remarkable, we've had at least three major decisions go against us."
Ross McCrorie v Rangers
When Aberdeen welcomed Rangers after the World Cup the game was full of controversy with three hand ball incidents that were all turned down by Willie Collum. James Tavernier and Connor Goldson touched the ball with their hands in the area, while for the home side Ross McCrorie could have give a pen away after a similar offence.
Rangers players, their manager and Sky commentator Andy Walker believed it was a penalty when McCrorie handled Alfredo Morelos' cross with Kent battling to beat him to the ball.
Matt O’Riley v Ross County
In mid November Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley gave away a penalty after his attempted clearance hit off the back of an opponent from close range and hit his arm. Referee David Munro was backed up by VAR, but pundits believed it was very harsh that the pen was given to the Staggies. While O'Riley was left baffled. He told Celtic TV: "I don’t really know what else I could have done to be honest. I had my arm by my side and I don’t know if the ball hit my arm or hip first. It’s one of those ones. We’ve had some strange decisions go against us to say the least but that won’t stop us.”
Connor Goldson v Dundee United
The most recent controversy around the handball rule came at the weekend when Dundee United were denied a penalty after Connor Goldson handled the ball in the six-yard box. Referee Steven Maclean and VAR officials said no penalty, and the Sportscene panel agreed that Goldson couldn't do anything to get his hand out the way.
Former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart said: "It's not a penalty kick. We have got to the stage where I think we are looking to punish players for doing nothing wrong. Look at the amount of bodies that are in front of Connor Goldson. He has got no way of knowing that ball is going to be coming anywhere near him. His arm is in a completely normal position for when he's defending. If you give a penalty kick for that, I think it is incredibly harsh."
Connor Barron v Livingston
Livingston were awarded a penalty when they took on Aberdeen in West Lothian after Connor Barron handled the ball in the box. In early November Aberdeen were awarded a free kick after Duk raced forward following a Livi corner. Nick Walsh halted the game and prevented the Dons from taking the free kick after he was called to the VAR screen.
Fans were left baffled about the incident and eventually Walsh gave a spot kick to the home side. Sean Kelly doubled Livingston's lead after just 17 minutes.
Ryan McGowan v Hearts
After a St Johnstone v Hearts game in late December Callum Davidson called for a change in the handball rule after his side conceded a pen. Willie Collum was called to the pitch-side monitor on two occasions during the clash and gave a pen against Ryan McGowan for the hosts and Cammy Devlin for the Jambos. Davidson said there was some confusion about law and called for it to be fixed. He said: "I think we were all a bit bemused by it. This handball rule has got to change a little bit. I got a good view from the sideline. He (Jorge Grant) has just flicked it and it’s hit Ryan’s hand. I’m not sure what he’s meant to do. At the moment we’re in a difficult area as I think penalties are being given too easily. The passage of play is not really affecting the outcome of the game. It’s really difficult for the referees. I was a little bit surprised when we got our first penalty as well. But I watched it back and it was a handball.
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