Ex Referee tells John Beaton – ‘VAR is there for clear and obvious errors’

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·27 de enero de 2026

Ex Referee tells John Beaton – ‘VAR is there for clear and obvious errors’

Des Roache has joined Dermot Gallagher and Mark Clattenburg in the former officials who believe VAR’s decision to intervene in Auston Trusty’s red card was the wrong one..

Referee John Beaton before the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Trusty’s dismissal came with 15 minutes to play of Celtic’s 2-2 encounter with Hearts, at a point when the Hoops were narrowly in front, protecting a 2-1 lead.

The American defender was first cautioned by referee Steven McLean after bringing down Pierre Landry Kabore, but VAR official John Beaton recommended an on-field review, believing the challenge may have stopped a clear chance on goal.

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Referee Steven McLean shows Auston Trusty a red card after a VAR review. Hearts v Celtic, 25 January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

Once the footage was examined, the initial booking was overturned and a sending-off was issued instead. The decision sparked contrasting reactions from managers Derek McInnes and Martin O’Neill, while Celtic have since confirmed they will challenge the outcome through the appeals process who will make a decision today.

Adding further perspective, former match official Des Roache has also questioned the intervention, suggesting the VAR review should NOT have been triggered in the first place.

Auston Trusty walks off after Referee Steven McLean shows the Celtic defender a red card after a VAR review. Hearts v Celtic, 25 January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

Speaking via Daily Record, Roache said: “My view is it shouldn’t have been a red card, it’s a yellow card. When you’re looking at denial of a goalscoring opportunity, you’ve got to look at the criteria that is set. The first one is distance to goal. This was 25-30 yards out.

“Where is his general direction of play? He’s going away from goal, he’s not going towards goal. What is the likelihood of control? He’s played the ball 10-12 yards ahead of him.”

He added: “You also have to consider the number of defenders and the position of them. I think McLean called it correct at the time. I’ve just seen a comment about how it’s a last man red card – there’s no such thing. It’s about denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”

“The bit I take my belief from is the word ‘obvious’. Is it an obvious goalscoring opportunity? It’s not obvious.”

Auston Trusty walks off after being shown a red card. Martin O’Neill looks on. Hearts v Celtic, 25 January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

Roache continued: “He may have a chance, he may not. It’s not obvious. What I think is entirely wrong with it is John Beaton has decided to get involved and re-referee that situation, and overturn Steven McLean. It’s a subjective opinion. Steven’s seen it and decided it’s a yellow card, which I’m fine with, and then John Beaton’s got involved to overturn it.”

“That’s not what VAR is there for. It’s there for clear and obvious errors.”

Conor Spence

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