Honest Mistakes: Week Five

Yet more material ends up in the great grey sea marked "Hand ball"

The momentum picks up as Celtic receive a visit from strugglers Heart of Midlothian whilst early form team Dundee United host The Rangers.

The impact of incorrect big calls can be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL.

14/09/24 Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian

Incident 1

Referee: Colin Steven

Game Minute: 30^th

Score At Time: 0-0

Incident: Shankland header blocked by Scales.

Outcome: Penalty to Hearts for handball overturned on VAR review.

Evidence: Celtic 2-0 Hearts | The Bhoys Preserve Top Spot | William Hill Premiership (youtube.com)

At 0:50

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Initial on-field decision: Penalty awarded but then overturned after VAR review

From a corner, Scales challenges a Hearts player and sees the header hit him accidentally on his left arm. The referee deems this initially to be an offence for accidental hand-arm where his body shape is made unnaturally larger in an unjustifiable situation.

However on review, common sense prevails as Scales knows nothing about the flight of the ball. He is literally next to the attacker as it is headed and has zero reaction time. His body shape is simply pivoting around to track the opposition players' movement. In my opinion, this kind of body shape, for this situation is completely expected and so should not be penalised as a handball offence.

Verdict: CORRECT decision not to award the penalty

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Incident 2

Referee: Colin Steven

Game Minute: 41^st

Score At Time: 0-0

Incident: Penrice fouls Engels.

Outcome: Foul to Celtic and YC to Penrice.

Evidence: Provided

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Initial on-field decision: Foul to Celtic and Penrice cautioned

Penrice certainly catches the Celtic player with a late tackle that is at the very least a cautionable offence for a reckless tackle.

There is a possible case for a red card being produced here, as at first glance it looks like a bit of a two-footed tackle.

However, on review, it seems that Penrice goes to make a tackle with his leading left foot and then slips which quickly brings his right foot up as well, as opposed to committing a two-footed tackle with excessive force. On balance, the caution is punishment enough.

Verdict: CORRECT decision Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Incident 3

Referee: Colin Steven

Game Minute: 48^th

Score At Time: 0-0

Incident: Kuhn cross into box blocked by Penrice.

Outcome: No decision; Penalty to Celtic for handball following VAR review

Evidence: Celtic 2-0 Hearts | The Bhoys Preserve Top Spot | William Hill Premiership (youtube.com)

At 2:35

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Initial on-field decision: No foul initially given, but penalty to Celtic after VAR Review

Penrice goes to block a cross and has the ball hit him from a close distance. The ball hits his arm but the referee originally goes with a corner decision. VAR then recommend on-field review and a penalty for handball is awarded.

I personally feel that the referee was correct with his original decision of a corner kick. Although the ball does seem to strike Penrice’s arm accidentally, I feel his arm position is justifiable. The arms come up to protect his face, they are not overly extended outwards and he has very little reaction time from when the ball is struck.

Certainly not a clear and obvious error and I feel the referee had an opportunity here to stick with his original decision.

Verdict: INCORRECT DECISION. Penalty should not have been awarded.

Expected Points Outcome: Celtic 0.62 xPts

15/09/24 Dundee United vs The Rangers

Incident 1

Referee: Don Robertson

Game Minute: 45th

Score At Time: 0-1

Incident: Adeboyega fouls Barron.

Outcome: Foul to TRFC and YC to Adeboyega.

Evidence: Dundee United 0-1 Rangers | Lawrence Chip Seals Three Points for The Gers | William Hill Premiership (youtube.com)

At 1:50

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Initial on-field decision: Foul to Rangers and Adegboyega cautioned after VAR review

Similar to the Penrice/Engels challenge, another late tackle that is clearly a reckless challenge and at the minimum, a caution is expected. But does this tackle also meet the threshold for a red card/excessive force challenge as well?

The Dundee Utd player stretches with right foot and studs are clearly showing. He gets nothing on the ball and catches  Barron on the top of his foot. I think this challenge narrowly falls short of being a red card rated  tackle by virtue that the studs/foot of Adegboyega are coming down and his foot is flat as the contact is made. This movement reduces the overall force of the challenge.

If his left is fully extended and the studs drive into the Rangers player side on, then I suspect we would have seen a sending-off, but on balance here, a caution was the expected outcome.

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Summary

My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.

Steps are being taken by Willie Collum as the new Head of Refereeing to apply greater transparency and consistency. The regular reviews of decisions are welcomed and a consistent approach to handball calls is also much needed.

I am not sure if this will achieved given the talents of the referees as we see above but the intention is noble and to be encouraged.

In terms of the overall position:

Celtic have 0.46 MORE expected points due to the impact of Honest Mistakes.

Celtic lead by five points after five matches.