Keith Jackson expressed disapproval of the choice to let Slobodan Rubezic play against Celtic in spite of his abhorrent taunt at Kyogo Furuhashi.
When Kyogo headed the ball early in the second half, the Aberdeen defender lunged dangerously at his opponent, not realising that he was facing a “challenge.”
After seeing the situation, Willie Collum determined that a foul was committed but only merited a yellow card.
While Kyogo was being attended to on the pitch, all eyes were on John Beaton in the VAR studio, where it was anticipated that he would recommend that his colleague go trackside to examine the situation more closely. Beaton found nothing noteworthy to review.
Jackson reports on the incident that included Celtic supporters inside the stadium as it was covered by the Daily Record:
They showed how much they cared about this team’s situation and the welfare of its key players in particular when they responded so passionately to the horrific crash of heads that saw Slobodan Rubezic wipe down Kyogo and leave him in a lifeless heap. Another reminder that it’s getting increasingly difficult to understand the job of the video assistance referee in Scottish football.
The officials should not have needed to see graphic slow motion replays to determine that Rubezic’s excessive aggressiveness had put an opponent’s safety in jeopardy. Not with the opponent in question sprawled down on the ground like this. However, the Montenegrin left with a yellow card despite the fact that the TV images gave the impression that
If the yellow vehicle challenge is taken as a hazardous precedent, it would be hard to find a more risky instance with obvious repercussions for an opponent.
Although the SFA is able to intervene retroactively, doing so would jeopardise the integrity of two of its most senior match officials.
Rubezic may be suspended for Aberdeen’s next game, which is against Philippe Clement’s team at home on November 26, if he receives any more penalty.
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