Such is the ongoing hullabaloo regarding perceived refereeing-induced injustices day after day after day since Celtic won the Scottish Cup, there was only one man for the job.
I am aware I owe you all an end of season SPFL wrap up and that will be with you next week. But for now a one-off Cup Final special.
The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL.
25/05/24 Celtic vs The Rangers, Scottish Cup Final
Incident 1
Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 9th Score At Time 0-0
Incident Maeda crosses into the box for Kyogo Outcome No decision Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - Scottish Cup 2023/24: Final: Celtic v Rangers Highlights
At 4:00
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Initial on field decision: Goal kick to Rangers
Maeda tries to get onto a cross but is crowded out by two Rangers defenders and the ball appears to come of Kyogo last. Slow-motion replay suggests some close contact from the secondary Rangers defender, but I don’t see anything untoward and outside expected contact in this particular situation.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Incident 2
Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 24th Score At Time 0-0
Incident Davies blocks Kyogo flick in the box Outcome No decision Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - Scottish Cup 2023/24: Final: Celtic v Rangers Highlights
At 6:00
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Initial on field decision: No foul given
Kyogo swoops to flick on a low cross with his head whilst being marked by Davies. As Davies runs towards Kyogo the ball does flick up and hit his right arm accidentally. For me given the attempts to mark his man at close proximity and lack of reaction time from the flicked header, I’m comfortable any contact with the arm is within acceptable and natural body shape parameters. No foul committed.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Incident 3
Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 59th Score At Time 0-0
Incident Sima scores for TRFC Outcome No decision Evidence BBC iPlayer - Sportscene - Scottish Cup 2023/24: Final: Celtic v Rangers Highlights
At 10:35
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Initial on field decision: Goal initially awarded but after VAR review goal is disallowed for a foul on Hart
Corner gets swung in and through a crowd of players, Sima heads home from close range. Hart immediately remonstrates that he has been impeded and, upon watching the replay, it is easy to see why he is protesting. As the ball comes over a Rangers player clearly shoves him in the back with one arm which pushes him forward and renders him unable to jump and challenge for the cross. An easy decision to chalk off the goal for a clear foul on the keeper.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Incident 4
Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 94th Score At Time 1-0
Incident Maeda fouls Diomande Outcome Foul to TRFC and YC to Maeda Evidence Evidence provided
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict Initial on field decision: Free kick to Rangers, Maeda cautioned for the foul
In the dying seconds in the game Maeda deliberately trips the Rangers player to break the play up and receives a caution. There is a question of a possible sanction against Diomande for his reaction to this foul. Off balance it looks like there is a possible kick out towards Maeda, certainly the slow motion replay warrants a closer inspection.
Given the context of the last few seconds of the tie, I would say Diomande is frustrated at the foul but I don’t feel this a genuine kick out at the Celtic man with any real violent intent. There is no contact and more importantly a lack of any real intent to actually kick Maeda.
For me, not enough to warrant a VAR review to recommend a red card for violent conduct.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points
Outcome
No impact
Summary
My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.
According to an independent and expert witness, the referees made the right decisions for all the big calls.
The result influences the post-match behaviour of many. As does the long barren summer stretching ahead.
But some credit is due to the officials at Hampden.