SFA Review Maeda’s Disallowed Goal v St Johnstone and Give Their Verdict

Celtic may have cruised to a comfortable victory at McDiarmid Park, but Daizen Maeda’s disallowed first-half goal remains a point of controversy after the SFA’s Key Match Incident panel ruled in favour of the decision to chalk it off.

Maeda, who ultimately found the net in the second half, was denied a great opening goal by VAR in the 6-0 win over St Johnstone.

The incident unfolded after a Celtic free-kick from the right wing led to the ball falling for Maeda, who smashed it into the top corner, seemingly breaking the deadlock. However, VAR stepped in to review an apparent foul by Celtic centre-back Auston Trusty in the build-up. The alleged foul occurred as Trusty and a St Johnstone defender came together while chasing the ball, with both players making contact.

Referee Don Robertson was instructed to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, and to the dismay of Celtic fans, Maeda’s goal was disallowed for what was deemed a foul by Trusty. The call left many scratching their heads, as the collision appeared to be nothing more than a routine coming together, with no clear foul play involved.

The SFA panel has now confirmed that, by a majority decision (4-1), VAR was correct to intervene. The panel agreed that the initial on-field decision was incorrect, but sided with VAR’s assessment to disallow the goal. One panellist, however, did dissent, believing that the goal should have stood, reinforcing the widespread view that the decision was overly harsh.

In their verdict, the panel stated: “The panel discussed this decision at length with the majority (4:1) deeming the on-field decision incorrect… The majority (4:1) believed VAR was correct to intervene and disallow the goal.”

Many Celtic supporters are baffled by the decision, feeling that Trusty did nothing wrong in the incident, with some suggesting that it was actually the St Johnstone player who initiated the contact.

While Maeda’s disallowed goal didn’t impact the final result, it has left fans frustrated by what they see as yet another dubious refereeing decision.