Former Referees Question if VAR Should’ve Instructed a Callum McGregor Red Card v Hearts

An incident involving Celtic captain Callum McGregor during the Hoops’ 3-0 win over Hearts at the weekend has stirred debate among former referees.

The controversy centres around a challenge between McGregor and Hearts forward Kenneth Vargas, which some believe should have been looked at by VAR.

The incident, caught in a clip that has since circulated on social media, shows Vargas dispossessing McGregor and subsequently being grounded following a challenge. McGregor is seen jumping over Vargas, and while it is unclear how much contact was made, Vargas’ reaction suggested that there was little to no contact made on his leg, despite the Celtic captain landing in that area. Play continued without a VAR review.

Former category one referees Steve Conroy and Des Roache, discussing the incident on their podcast Behind the Whistles, expressed surprise that VAR did not intervene. They shared their insights on social platform X, where they stopped short of declaring that McGregor should have been sent off, they believed the situation warranted a closer examination.

“This is another. He’s tried to leap the Man on the floor and has caught him. debatable if Wreckless Y or SFP. Was worth a check it’s not nothing.

“Really suprised Clancy and his AR have a clear view of it. But as we discussed on the Podcast he failed to see a few obvious things yesterday. Including the penalty.”

What sort of refereeing is this?! A blatant leg breaking stamp after a deliberate foul, all in the space of 2 seconds and no action taken?! @behindtwpod thoughts? The media silence on it is deafening? Where’s the compliance officer @ScottishFA ?pic.twitter.com/Yo50aZkc1r

— Le Souness (@LeSouness) May 6, 2024

I don’t think there was any need for VAR to get involved, there was no stamp from McGregor, and Vargas’ immediate reaction doesn’t make a case for a stamp. There were also no complaints from his teaMMAtes or the referee or linesman, who were both in a good position to see the incident.