Bologna vs Celtic ref watch: Three decisions Vassilios Fotias got wrong as Reo Hatate sent off
Vassilios Fotias had both supporters crying out for decisions as Celtic secured an important away draw against Bologna on Thursday.
Wilfried Nancy was laughed out of Celtic Park after just eight games, with the Hoops calling upon Martin O’Neill once again to save their 2025-26 season, domestically and in Europe.
Reo Hatate made amends for his Dundee United performance, scoring the opener after smart play from Daizen Maeda, before Auston Trusty doubled the lead despite the first goalscorer’s red card.
With 10 men for the majority of the game on 22 January, Kasper Schmeichel was called upon several times, but it was not enough for all three points in a four-goal thriller.
And plenty was also made of the man in the middle and his performance.
Vassilios Fotias misses early last-man challenge
Just moments after the Hoops took advantage of a goalkeeping error, Maeda was brought down outside of the penalty area, but the referee waved advantage as Yang Hyun-Jun had an effort at goal.
Had the striker made the most of the challenge, though, there would have been a VAR check at the very least, but the referee totally ignored the incident because of how the play developed.
Given that the Bologna defender was the last man, it could have easily been a red card, but it appeared to be swept under the carpet after just seven minutes.
Reo Hatate unfortunate to see red vs Bologna
There is absolutely no denying that the Japanese international made contact with Bologna’s left-back, but just three minutes after picking up his original caution, it seemed like a harsh decision.
The referee could have easily just given the free-kick and continued play, but it appeared that the reaction of the home side’s bench swayed his decision to get a second yellow out.
Kasper Schmeichel gets away with blatant timewasting
The Hoops were holding on desperately for a point on the road, with the players doing anything in their power to wind the clock down in the closing stages.
Schmeichel was guilty of this more than anyone, even standing behind his goal line on goal kicks, but somehow avoiding a caution, using all of his experience to keep his side from going behind.
While it was good work from the goalkeeper, it leaves the question of how the referee allowed him to get away with it for so long.