DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
RateTheRef
HTML https://ratetheref.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: General Discussion
*****************************************************
#Post#: 105928--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: Leggy
Date: May 14, 2026, 12:18 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I have long dispaired as to what is, and what is not, a handball
offence in recent years. The desire to define it with 100%
accuracy appears to have caused as many problems as it might
have solved. This is a problem with VAR - not a reason not to
have it - but a problem with it .... allow me to explain:
In the "olden days" a referee would make a decision based on
what they saw and we moved on. If that decision was a KMI then
it would be debated after the game and the referee might get
some criticism (or even a little praise?) with a view reached on
whether it weas wrong or right. Even if one excludes those with
an interest in the result, the decision would rarely have been
seen as correct / incorrect by 100% of those viewing. RTR is
pretty much built on such debates!
With the arrival of VAR we have the opportunity to be forensic.
FIFA, UEFA and the PGMOL may tell us that they do not want
forensic analysis but now that VAR gives that ability that is
what we are going to get. Why? Because VAR has removed the
acceptability of a genuinely made, but wrong decision. There
was little scope for top flight on-field referees to make errors
- there is no scope at all for VARs.
As the VAR operator knows that the room for error has gone, they
are going to be forensic. They are going to call an offside by
a millimetre and they are going to find handball "offences" that
no-one has seen or appealed for (as happened last evening).
Handball "offences" such as those given last night are only
going to be given in games with VAR where they are committed by
a defender within their on penalty area. That it a pretty niche
offence and I am personally not comfortable with the game when
it gets this forensic / niche - but the "powers that be" have no
intention of changing course.
I fear that the upcoming World Cup will be like a famous Star
Trek mis-quote: Its Football Jim, but not as we know it.
#Post#: 105929--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: May 14, 2026, 12:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The more I watch the incident, the more I am inclined to believe
that it MIGHT hit the arm. I cannot say with 100% certainty but
I think it may well hit the arm. But, in my opinion, I think you
have to look at why the arm is in that position when the
incident occurs.
Firstly, the Motherwell defender jumps up to head the ball. That
is the first important point. When you jump up, you use your
arms for leverage so sometimes they can slightly be raised as a
natural action. Then, the Celtic attacker jumps from underneath
the left arm of the defender which I think causes contact with
the defender’s arm which keeps it raised. This is my main issue.
I think it is the Celtic players actions that result in the arm
being in the position that it is when it potentially strikes the
arm. The Motherwell defender cannot naturally allow his arm to
move down because the Celtic player is jumping up from
underneath his left arm. This is why it looks like an unnatural
position but I believe that the defender cannot do any more to
keep his arm down because of the action of the attacker.
I think this has been punished because of the position of the
arm at the potential point of contact rather than actually
looking at why his arm is in that position and was it unnatural
or not.
#Post#: 105930--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: mac
Date: May 14, 2026, 1:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
What Leggy said!
#Post#: 105967--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: arabref
Date: May 15, 2026, 10:36 am
---------------------------------------------------------
An incredibly strong statement from the SFA regarding the
aftermath of this, including that John Beaton and his family had
to have police protection outside their home last night.
HTML https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/a-scottish-fa-statement/?rid=14258
#Post#: 105968--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: DublinRef
Date: May 15, 2026, 11:15 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: arabref link ---
>
> An incredibly strong statement from the SFA regarding the
aftermath of this, including that John Beaton and his family had
to have police protection outside their home last night.
>
HTML https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/a-scottish-fa-statement/?rid=14258
>
--- End Quote ---
An incredibly strong but incredibly accurate and much needed
statement.
What is even more needed, however, is action. I appreciate this
statements forcefulness is unique in modern refereeing and the
Scottish FA are to be commended for that. But unless serious
consequences follow for those who make inappropriate remarks,
there won’t be meaningful change.
#Post#: 105970--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: HChip
Date: May 15, 2026, 12:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: arabref link ---
>
> An incredibly strong statement from the SFA regarding the
aftermath of this, including that John Beaton and his family had
to have police protection outside their home last night.
>
HTML https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/a-scottish-fa-statement/?rid=14258
>
--- End Quote ---
Disgusting. I hope the full book gets considered for the
suspects. Absolutely ridiculous.
That’s like someone making a typing error on a keyboard in an
office job and having their social medias flooded with hate
messages.
John Beaton does this as a career, it’s his job, I know football
refereeing is a very critical job but there is a line. His life
and his family’s life are in danger because of a decision.
#Post#: 105993--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: Ref Fan
Date: May 16, 2026, 4:02 am
---------------------------------------------------------
If I were a Hearts supporter, I think my ire would be more aimed
at VAR for intervening rather than John Beaton for changing his
decision.
Even if there were convincing evidence the ball hits the hand -
and I'm still not totally convinced - the question whether the
contact constitutes an offence
seems to me highly subjective for reasons others have stated.
What does VAR say in those circumstances: John, we think the
ball hits the hand but whether it constitutes an offence is
subjective and therefore we recommend an OFR for you to decide.
Or, has VAR made that subjective decision themselves and is
advising it should be a penalty.
What would concern me is relying on the argument that the ball
must have hit the arm because the hand was between the ball and
head if the visual evidence is not conclusive.
If VAR thinks there could have been a foul in the area but is
not 100% sure there is contact by the defender, he can't use the
argument that the defender stuck his leg out and the attacker
fell down to justify an OFR can he? Not quite the same I know
but hopefully you get my point about trying to use logic rather
than just visual evidence.
From what I've seen, it would have been better, probably far
better, for VAR not to get involved. Would it have been equally
controversial? Personally I don't think so, given that Celtic
didn't appeal at the time, even if questions were raised later.
#Post#: 106518--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: HChip
Date: May 22, 2026, 4:22 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The KMI Panel have decided the penalty should not have been
awarded.
#Post#: 106525--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: RCG
Date: May 22, 2026, 8:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: HChip link ---
>
> The KMI Panel have decided the penalty should not have been
awarded.
>
--- End Quote ---
How long before the results of this "august" body start
appearing in legal challenges? 😞
#Post#: 106528--------------------------------------------------
Re: Motherwell vs Celtic - John Beaton
DIR By: ajb95
Date: May 23, 2026, 4:27 am
---------------------------------------------------------
So Beaton and Dallas cost hearts the title, and meant after a
whole season of hoping it changes to someone different it
didn’t. Worst league in Europe in terms of predictability
*****************************************************
Page 3 of 4
DIR Previous Page
DIR Next Page