The SFA KMI Panel is taking a bit of a battering from Celtic and Rangers fans this weekend after they delivered their verdict on key decisions at Hampden last weekend.
Celtic beat Rangers in a result that was convincing in the end. The 3-1 win booked Martin O’Neill’s Bhoys’ place in the Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren next month.
The game, however, wasn’t without its controversies as the panel was the busiest it has ever been in regards to Celtic decisions over the last few months.
We told already how the verdict on Celtic defender Auston Trusty’s challenge on Jack Butland blew open the media narrative surrounding the alleged ‘red card’.
And now, the KMI Panel are going to get some stick about the much-less talked about, but more serious tackle from Rangers defender Derek Cornelius on Celtic striker Johnny Kenny.
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The SFA KMI Panel’s strange view of Cornelius challenge on Celtic’s Johnny Kenny
In a statement on the SFA website, the KMI Panel released its findings on Cornelius’ dangerous tackle on Celtic striker Johnny Kenny.
Here, 67 Hail Hail gives a column by column explanation of the decision:
- On-field decision: Possible red card for R13 (Cornelius) challenge on C24 (Kenny) – yellow card awarded
- Difficulty: 3. The SFA explain this as: “A more complex decision with a greater degree of subjectivity and/or more factors to consider, that a select group official should nonetheless call correctly.”
- KMI On-field decision outcome: Correct
- Votes: 3:0 For
- VAR intervention (Y/N): N
- KMI VAR intervention outcome: Correct
- Votes: 3:0 For say VAR was correct not to intervene.
- KMI Final Decision: Correct
- Votes: 3:0 For
- Notes: The on-field decision was unanimously supported
Our view: Why the KMI Panel’s Celtic verdict was wrong
Firstly, let’s take a look at the difficulty level the KMI Award Panel gave the decision. Cornelius’ tackle was out of control, ankle-high and in with the studs. And it was also two-footed.
Why it was given such a high difficulty rating is baffling when it was clearly dangerous.
As for VAR, ‘the decision to not let the referee take another look at the tackle seems a bit strange due to the nature and velocity of the challenge.
It was reckless and out of control and, dare we say it, more dangerous than Thelo Aasgaard’s?
And for the panel to give a unanimous verdict on this challenge, yet be almost split on the Auston Trusty one considering, again, the force of both tackles remains baffling and leaves fans wondering what exactly is the panel seeing that they are missing?
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