SFA Unanimous on Celtic Offside Claim and Johnston Tackle

The SFA’s Key Match Incident panel has unanimously backed two major refereeing decisions from Celtic’s recent win over Rangers at Celtic Park.

Both incidents caused huge debate after the derby earlier this month, with Rangers supporters and several pundits questioning whether Celtic benefited from key calls during the 3-1 victory.

The first controversy surrounded Celtic’s equalising goal scored by Yang Hyun-jun.

Rangers argued there was a possible offside earlier in the attacking phase involving Benjamin Nygren, with claims Jack Butland’s view may have been affected before Yang found the net.

Referee Nick Walsh allowed the goal to stand after a VAR review.

Now the KMI panel has confirmed the decision was correct.

According to the latest SFA review, all three panel members supported the on-field decision unanimously in a 3-0 vote.

The report stated:
“Goal scored by C13 – goal awarded – potential offside in build-up (APP).”

It then confirmed:
“The on-field decision was unanimously supported.”

The second major incident involved Alistair Johnston’s challenge on Rangers youngster Mikey Moore during the first half.

Johnston received a yellow card at the time following the heavy tackle.

The incident exploded across social media afterwards once replay angles circulated online, with some pundits arguing the Celtic defender should have been sent off.

VAR reviewed the challenge during the match but decided against recommending an on-field review for serious foul play.

The KMI panel has now also unanimously supported that decision.

The report stated:
“Potential red card for C2 challenge on R47 – yellow card awarded.”

Again, all three panel members sided with the officials in another 3-0 vote.

It added:
“The on-field decision was unanimously supported.”

The outcome is another major backing for both Nick Walsh and VAR official John Beaton after criticism around several high-profile Celtic decisions in recent weeks.

Importantly, the panel did not merely say the calls were understandable.

They fully agreed with both outcomes.

That includes the Johnston challenge, which became one of the biggest refereeing talking points from the derby after slow-motion angles emerged post-match.

The verdict also weakens claims that Celtic’s equaliser should have been ruled out for interference in the build-up.

Instead, the independent review panel sided completely with the officials on both flashpoints from the match.