That Daizen Maeda call during Celtic’s defeat at Hibernian is still probably annoying fans right now.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been a huge talking point, not just in Scotland, but across Europe ever since it was first introduced and then used across the footballing world.
It has divided opinion like no other, and has frustrated many players and managers, including Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers.
Like many, Rodgers hasn’t been shy to express his views, and he did just that when VAR didn’t allow Daizen Maeda’s goal against Hibernian in February.
In the end, it was ruled that the wrong call was made, and the man in the hotseat, VAR official Alan Muir, was heavily criticised for yet another mistake, and now it has come at a cost.
Celtic fans pleased to hear Alan Muir has been removed as a VAR official
Willie Collum is the man in charge of the referees at the SFA, and it seems as though he has played a part in Muir’s brutal exit.
The Herald has reported that Muir departs after huge ‘Celtic and Rangers VAR errors’, and his time as a full-time VAR is now over.
As you can imagine, the Celtic Park faithful were pleased that such a cut-throat call was made, and now they no longer have to endure the pain of Muir’s calls.
@Carrylaw wants more: ‘It should include all refereeing duties!’
@Mikebhoy1967 continued that theme: ‘Shouldn’t have any duties whatsoever’.
@p_bov1 isn’t surprised: ‘No surprise. Forced out after his shockers this season with multiple of them directly affecting Celtic games’.
@SouperCeltic asked a question: ‘Pressure from the board?’
@ordinarybhoy with a simple gif: ‘Alan Muir…’
@HoopsSpalding with a brutal mocking: ‘Alan Muir hoping for a late VAR decision to overturn his sacking….’
@Dan86_DJ is happy: ‘👋 Alan Muir!’
@Tonyb19528846 with a bit of humour: ‘New career as an after dinner speaker on the horizon’.
@4done6togo didn’t hold back: Muir was a disgrace against certain teams and had the odd mistake against others. He should have absolutely nothing to do with refereeing now. To keep him as an observer is a disgrace’.
What else has been said about Muir’s exit?
It has been suggested that ‘three high profile errors’ were made by Muir in games involving Celtic and Rangers.
That then resulted in Muir having ‘crisis talks’ with Collum and VAR manager Martin Atkinson – and now he has gone.
According to the Herald, Muir will still be able to ‘a referee observer in future’ – but his work at Clydesdale House is finito.
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