Honest Mistakes: Week Ten

All eyes were on John Beaton at Pittodrie whilst Celtic host Dundee

Matches played reach 10 as Celtic host Dundee whilst the co-leaders host The Rangers.

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

30/10/24 Celtic vs Dundee

Incident 1

Referee: Ross Hardie

Game Minute: 64th

Score At Time: 1-0

Incident: Kyogo goes over in the box.

Outcome: Penalty to Celtic confirmed following VAR review of APP.

Evidence: Celtic 2-0 Dundee | Johnston and Engels Keep Celtic Top of the Table | William Hill Premiership

At 2:37

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Initial on-field decision: Penalty to Celtic confirmed by VAR following review of APP

Kyogo looks to get in behind the Dundee back line and the defender is caught in possession. As Kyogo steals the ball the defender clearly tugs back an off-balance Kyogo and he tumbles to the floor. For me a clear foul and penalty rightly awarded.

There is also a question of a foul on a Dundee attacker at the other end of the pitch right at the start of the Celtic counterattack. However, the Dundee player goes to the ground quite dramatically after minimal contact and I’m comfortable that no foul was committed here that may then have seen the penalty decision overruled and the play brought back.

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Incident 2

Referee: Ross Hardie

Game Minute: 89th

Score At Time: 2-0

Incident: Scales challenges for the ball in the Celtic box.

Outcome: No decision following VAR review

Evidence: Provided

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Initial on-field decision: No decision following VAR check for handball

Scales jumps with his opponent to try and win an aerial challenge in the box and as the players jump together, the ball lands between both heads and accidentally hits the right arm of Scales. This arm is slightly extended forward into the body of the Dundee player he is jumping with. This is not a push or kind of contact that would be penalised and for me, the arm is in a natural position in relation to how he is jumping and competing for the ball. It is extended forward in a natural jumping position rather than extended upwards so this should not have been penalised as a handball incident.

Verdict: CORRECT decision 

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

30/10/24 Aberdeen vs The Rangers

Incident 1

Referee: John Beaton

Game Minute: 35th

Score At Time: 1-0

Incident: Souttar blocks shot in The Rangers box.

Outcome: No decision overturned to penalty to Aberdeen for handball by VAR.

Evidence: Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2024/25: 30/10/2024 - BBC iPlayer

At 4:50

Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:

Initial on-field decision: No decision but then a penalty to Aberdeen for handball following VAR review

Souttar stoops to head away a low shot and it appears to hit his arm after VAR review, and a penalty awarded for handball.

On balance, I can see why this decision was given at full speed very difficult to see what part of the body it hits. However, on the replay, we can see Souttar’s starting body shape is to have both hands tucked behind his back. But then as he stoops down low to head the ball rather than let it hit his midriff, his arms extend out to the side. The ball hits the extended left arm on its way as a goal-bound shot. Souttar’s arm looks to be in an unnatural position due to the unorthodox attempt to head the ball and so the penalty is awarded.

Verdict: CORRECT decision

Expected Points Outcome: No impact

Summary

My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.

Well done to John Beaton and the team for a solid performance in the big game in Scotland at Aberdeen.

This leaves the overall position thus:

Celtic have 0.46 MORE expected points, and The Rangers also have 0.46 MORE due to the impact of Honest Mistakes. So, no “advantage” for either team.

Celtic lead by nine points after ten matches.