Celtic's Controversial VAR Decision Defies Replays

Glasgow, Oct 3 (AP) Celtic's manager, Brendan Rodgers, was left frustrated by a "baffling" VAR decision that denied his team a chance to equalize against Braga in their Europa League match on Thursday. Replays appeared to indicate that Celtic's goal should have stood, yet it was disallowed, leading to their eventual 2-0 defeat at home.

The incident occurred in the 51st minute, when Kelechi Iheanacho capitalized on a defensive error, breaking free to score what appeared to be a legitimate goal, leveling the score at 1-1. However, German referee Tobias Stieler ruled the goal out for handball, a decision subsequently upheld after a lengthy VAR review by video assistant Christian Dingert.

Curiously, the replays seemed to clearly demonstrate that the ball struck Iheanacho's forehead without any contact with his arm. This decision left Rodgers questioning, "I don't know why the goal wasn't given. It's a real pivotal point in the game."

Rodgers expressed his frustration with the process, stating, "I haven't had an explanation as to why it wasn't given. Even if you look at it once, twice, and I'm assuming the guys in the VAR will have watched it more than that, because of the time it took, there's absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he's touched it (with his arm). It's hit his face, he's gone away and finished it really, really well. It's a big moment in the game for us."

Despite the extended VAR review, Stieler was never prompted to review the replays at the pitchside monitor. Rodgers noted, "That for me is what VAR is about, to correct the wrong decision. So it was a wee bit baffling that he wasn't even asked to come over and look at the screen."

Braga took the lead courtesy of a long-range shot from Ricardo Horta that got past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Substitute Gabri Martínez secured the victory with a late second goal. AP

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