Beaton: Controversial VAR Decisions Explained

After losing 2-0 away to Hearts on 3 March 2024 Brendan Rodgers described the performance of John Beaton on VAR duty as incompetent.

Many fans would use different language to describe the performance of the man from the Crown Bar in Bellshill. Ever since Albion Rovers were denied a Scottish Cup victory at Ibrox in March 2014 the emerging referee from Lanarkshire has been ‘one for the watching’.

After the defeat at Tynecastle Rodgers spoke in measured tones, described the incidents and repeated the incompetence accusation in his post-match interviews with Sky Sports, BBC Scotland and the all in media conference.

Those comments earned Rodgers a one match touchline ban, he appealed against it unsuccessfully but refused to back down, there was no apology given to Beaton who had instructed Dozy Don Robertson to review a booking for Yang Hyun-jun that was upgraded to a red card then prompted a Hearts penalty for handball against Tomoki Iwata that even Steven Naismith couldn’t justify.

That match was the only domestic fixture in 2024 that Celtic lost.

Rodgers watched Celtic defeat Livingston from the stand at the Toni Macaroni Arena, he returned to work for the April 8 Derby match at Ibrox with Beaton refereeing the game as the SFA exacted revenge on the Irishman.

Throughout the whole saga Celtic said nothing, Mikey Nicholson hid in his office studying spreadsheets while working out what players he could sell off in the summer.

Since Rodgers made the incompetent claim about Beaton there has been seven Glasgow Derbies, on Sunday the man from the Crown Bar will be back on VAR duty- the fifth time in those seven fixtures that he has either been the match referee or VAR.

That is 71.4% of those matches. He was given time off for the final SPFL Premiership fixture of last season then for the most recent match at Ibrox after he had refereed the fixture in the first two clashes of the season.

You don’t need to dig too far for a pattern of decision making, it is similar to that of Alan Muir.

I also think as well that VAR is not the problem here, that’s clear. It’s competence. And I think the first one is a great example of the game being refereed outside of the pitch. This is the thing everyone is talking about, that the officials do their job and if it’s something that’s clear and obvious maybe step in. The referee made the decision and someone outside made another decision to say it was a sending off. So that’s the game being refereed outside of the field and in big games that costs you.

I’m not one who comes crying about referees, be it here or the EPL, because I understand there will be mistakes made. But that today was awful officiating in what was a big game for us.

Asked if it was the worst officiating that he had experienced in Scotland (which includes Beaton’s Alfredo Morelos masterclass at Ibrox in December 2018) the Celtic boss didn’t hesitate with his answer:

I think so. In my time up here I’m not one to have a go at refs because I understand it’s a very very difficult position they are in. I try to respect decisions and give the benefit of the doubt.

But I think when I see that level of incompetence is the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game. In such a tight title race, which it is and it’s fantastic and great to be involved in, that can make the difference. And that today made the difference for us.

APRIL 8, 3-3 at Ibrox

Beaton ignores a penalty box tag-team attack on Kyogo Furuhashi from Connor Goldson and Jack Butland that leaves the Celtic defender in a heap on the six yard line.

He misses a clear handball by Connor Goldson, VAR Nick Walsh relectantly get involves with Matt O’Riley scoring from the penalty spot.

After allowing 45 minutes of playacting from Fabio Silva go unpunished Beaton books the on loan Wolves forward for a dive. Walsh suggests a VAR review and suddenly it is Tavpen O’Clock.

Iwata is wiped out a few minutes later, play continues until Dessers finds the net, fortunately Walsh prompts Beaton into a review and the ‘goal’ is disallowed.

MAY 25, 1-0 Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final. Beaton on VAR duty.

Two clear Celtic penalty claims are ignored in the first half by referee Walsh, VAR checks are completed in 15 seconds.

In the first incident Ben Davies raises his hand to control the ball, in the second Davies pushes Leon Balogun into Kyogo as he prepares to shoot.

The VAR official that spotted Iwata’s handball at Tynecastle saw nothing wrong with either decision

1 September, 3-0 at Celtic Park

Celtic utterly dominate Phil Clement’s side, Andrew Dallas had the squiggly lines out to disallow a Kyogo ‘goal’ with the match scoreless but the hoops went in at the break leading 2-0, finishing the match 3-0 victors leaving the Belgian Beale scrambling around for comforting stats. No major controversies from Beaton other than breaking up Celtic’s play at every opportunity, full use of the Disadvantage Rule

15 December 3-3, League Cup Final

Willie Collum showed his trust in Beaton by giving him successive Glasgow Derby appointments, showing the clear weakness of the newly installed Head of Refereeing.

Midway through the first half Jefte rankes his studs down the calf of Nicolas Kuhn but avoids a booking.

Leon Balogun was given licence to boot anything in green and white with Reo Hatate a particular target. After another attack on Cameron Carter-Vickers while on a yellow card the veteran defender was substituted in the 67^th minute.

During extra-time Callum McGregor sent a quickly taken free kick through for Maeda to run onto with Clement’s defenders sleeping, fortunately Beaton blew his whistle and insisted on the free kick being retaken from virtually the same spot.

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Despite his clear status as Scotland’s top referee Beaton hasn’t been involved in any UEFA Champions League ties despite the new format providing 30% more fixtures.