‘Careless’ – Ex-ref chief drops verdict after re-analysing controversial Scott McTominay footage
Scotland were right to be offered a reprieve in their World Cup qualifying win over Belarus after the visitors’ equaliser was ruled out by VAR for a foul on Scott McTominay.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Belarus midfielder Evgeniy Yablonski did commit an offence and the goal was correctly ruled out.
Scotland took the lead early on through Che Adams in a game dominated by controversial calls and VAR decisions, with Belarus good value for their leveller just after the hour mark as Evgeni Malashevich finished off a sweeping move.
Many home players and fans called for a review at Hampden Park, and referee Marian Alexandru Barbu was called to the screen and duly chalked the goal off as Yablonski was ruled to have fouled Scott McTominay prior to the goal.
Belarus see equaliser ruled out as McTominay fouled on the ball
Scotland beat Greece 3-1 on Thursday (9 October) despite putting in a flat performance, and their recent World Cup qualifying clash against Belarus on Sunday (12 October) followed a similar theme.
Adams opener gave Steve Clarke‘s daylight, but the visitors were allowed back into proceedings as the game wore on before right-winger Malashevich netted just minutes after the Torino striker had seen a penalty claim waved away.
VAR official Ovidiu Hategan ordered a review of the leveller, and replays showed that Yablonski stepped across McTominay and pushed him to win the ball back before assisting the goal, and so it was disallowed.
McTominay, who has impressed at Napoli since leaving Man United, then went on to score to seal their victory, but Belarus will still feel hard done by after they played well and pulled a consolation back in added-time.
Keith Hackett backs referee’s decision to disallow Belarus’ equaliser
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I have to say that, when you look at foul challenges, how you challenge is so important. I think the way he has put his right leg in front of his opponent, and across the opponent, the opponent is going to go to ground.
“The platform here that the referee has to take is, are you going to be prepared to allow a doubtful goal? For me, after watching this game and there being a run of VAR interventions…I think the referee has got it right (to rule it out).
“It looks slight, but what I would say is that the law talks about a careless challenge, and this is what the Belarus defender has done. When you’re chasing a player down, and that player is in possession of the ball, you have got to take great care.
“Credit to VAR coming in and taking his time, and so did the referee. I think, personally, although it might have seemed harsh, they came to the right decision.”