VAR Controversy: Daizen Maeda's Second Goal For Celtic Against Hibs Ruled Out

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Post on Feb 24, 2025

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VAR Controversy: Maeda's Disallowed Goal Fuels Celtic-Hibs Debate

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – A controversial VAR decision denying Celtic a second goal in their 3-1 victory over Hibernian on [Date of Match - Insert Date Here] at Easter Road has ignited a fierce debate among fans and pundits alike. The incident, involving Daizen Maeda's effort in the [Time of incident - Insert Time Here] minute, saw the linesman initially raise his flag for offside, before a lengthy VAR review ultimately overturned the on-field decision, ruling the goal out for a marginal offside call.

The sequence of events began with a [Description of the build-up play leading to the goal - e.g., swift counter-attack initiated by Kyogo Furuhashi, involving a through ball to Maeda]. Maeda, making a run behind the Hibs defense, received the pass and slotted the ball past the Hibs goalkeeper, [Hibs Goalkeeper's Name - Insert Name Here]. Celebrations erupted among the Celtic players and fans, only to be cut short by the linesman's offside flag.

However, the referee, [Referee's Name - Insert Name Here], deemed it necessary to consult VAR. After several minutes of reviewing the footage from multiple angles, the VAR official concluded that Maeda was marginally offside at the moment the pass was played. The decision, communicated via the referee’s earpiece, sparked immediate outrage from Celtic manager, [Celtic Manager's Name - Insert Name Here], who was seen visibly protesting the decision from the touchline.

“I’ve seen the replay several times and I still don't understand it,” [Quote from Celtic Manager – Insert Accurate Quote Here]. “It was a very tight call, but from what I saw, Maeda was playing onside. These are the sort of decisions that can change the course of a game and today it didn't go our way. It's frustrating for the players and the fans.”

The Hibernian manager, [Hibs Manager's Name - Insert Name Here], offered a more measured response, though he admitted the call was incredibly close. [Quote from Hibs Manager – Insert Accurate Quote Here]. He acknowledged the difficulty faced by officials in making such fine margins calls, especially with the pressure of a live match situation.

The VAR decision highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the technology’s implementation in football. While intended to reduce officiating errors, the system remains imperfect and occasionally leads to controversial calls like the one at Easter Road. The marginal offside rulings, often decided by a few millimeters, frequently generate heated discussions. The controversy sparked a flurry of social media activity, with fans from both clubs voicing their opinions, many questioning the accuracy and consistency of VAR application.

The incident raises further questions about the training and protocols surrounding VAR usage. The extended review time, often leading to breaks in play, also remains a point of contention. While the technology undoubtedly aims for greater accuracy, instances like the disallowed Maeda goal serve as a reminder that even with VAR, subjective interpretations and human error remain factors influencing match outcomes. The Celtic-Hibs game, ultimately decided by a clear 3-1 scoreline, nonetheless leaves a lingering sense of controversy over the disallowed goal, underscoring the complex and often contentious role of VAR in modern football. The Scottish FA and the SPFL are yet to officially comment on the incident.