KMI panel rules that Celtic were incorrectly denied equaliser against Hibs

Celtic had a legitimate goal disallowed that would have seen them equalise against Hibs at Easter Road last week, a review panel has said.

The champions suffered a rare league defeat after Josh Campbell scored twice for in-form Hibs last Saturday, with Daizen Maeda scoring Celtic’s only goal.

Celtic thought they had drawn level in the 83rd minute when the Japanese forward drilled home after a cutback from Alistair Johnston.

Referee Steven McLean awarded the goal initially but VAR Alan Muir intervened to check if the ball had gone out of play before Johnston crossed. His team ruled on a ‘factual decision’ to award Hibs a goal kick instead, though broadcast television camera angles were inconclusive.

Brendan Rodgers fumed after the final whistle, saying the VAR officials had “guessed” and now an independent panel has said that the officials made a significant mistake.

The SFA-convened Key Match Incident panel, which reviews major decisions on a weekly basis to help with understanding of decisions and increasing transparency.

Five panel members give their views on whether a VAR intervention was necessary and whether it led to the right, or wrong outcome.

Three of the independent panelists, who all contribute on a voluntary basis, have “established careers within Scottish football,” whether as coaches, former players, or members of the media. There is one representative from SPFL clubs and another from the Scottish FA.

This week’s panel reviewed the disallowed goal and concluded by a vote of 4-1 that Celtic should have been awarded the goal.

The SFA published the review on Friday. It read: “The majority (4:1) of the panel deemed the on-field decision of goal to be correct.

“They felt the factual VAR intervention for the ball being out of play was incorrect. One panel member felt VAR was correct to intervene as they believed one of the angles showed the ball out of play”.