Dundee United striker Tony Watt will be free to face former club Celtic this weekend after his red card against Motherwell was rescinded.
The 28-year-old was sent off for a challenge on Well midfielder Sean Goss 40 minutes into his side’s 1-0 defeat at Tannadice last weekend.
At first, the tackle had been judged as no foul by referee John Beaton. However, after a VAR review, the whistler decided that Watt’s challenge was, in fact, a red card offence.
Dundee United were quick to appeal the decision, with Terrors boss Liam Fox stating his belief that not enough angles of the foul were shown to the referee.
The footage quickly spread onto social media, with supporters from across the country expressing their thoughts on the forward’s first-half sending-off.
Following a fast-tracked Scottish FA hearing, United were given a response to their appeal of Watt’s suspension and discovered he would be free to face his former club, Celtic.
In a statement released this morning, the Tannadice side stated: “Following a fast-track Scottish FA hearing, the sending off Tony received has been rescinded and replaced with a caution.
“Tony was dismissed after a VAR review of his 40th-minute challenge with Sean Goss.
“At the time, it was interpreted that Tony has been guilty of Serious Foul Play, but this has been downgraded to a caution under the offence ‘Reckless tackles or challenges an opponent.”
Early VAR problems continue as Celtic Park gears up for first domestic use.
Although we are only two weeks into the introduction of VAR in Scottish Football, we have already had our fair share of controversy.
Celtic have on both ends of decisions made by the new technology in their last two league outings against Hearts and Livingston.
Teething issues were expected as officials in this country continue to familiarise themselves with the new technology. However, the majority would likely argue that VAR’s start has been beyond that.
The decision to rescind Tony Watt’s red card challenge doesn’t show the problem with the technology itself. Rather, the referees who are utilising it and continue to make the same mistakes.
This weekend, we will see it being used for the first time in domestic action at Celtic Park as supporters in Glasgow get set for their first glimpse at the new system.
Here’s hoping we don’t see yet more refereeing controversy this weekend. However, I wouldn’t be holding my breath after what has been a disastrous start for officials in Scotland using the new technology.
In other news, Celtic’s transfer plans get underway as club aims to tie down key stars on fresh terms.
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