Celtic news: Ex-FIFA referee can’t believe Kyogo Furuhashi controversy – ‘I’m gobsmacked’
Keith Hackett has insisted the Scottish Premiership should introduce goal-line technology after Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi was denied a potential goal in the 4-1 win over St Johnstone on Christmas Eve.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed the only way to reach an “accurate decision” is by using the Hawk-Eye setup used in the English game.
As seen on BBC’s Sportscene (03:44, 24 December), Furuhashi believed he had opened the scoring with his close-range headed effort but saw his appeals waved away by referee Kevin Clancy.
The Japan international’s effort was not considered to have clearly crossed the line, with St Johnstone goalkeeper Remi Matthews quickly palming the ball away from well inside his own goal.
Goal-line technology is not part of the VAR roll-out with a big outlay required to install the Hawk-Eye system at every top-flight game.
VAR will instead use camera feeds from television to aid officials in deciding whether the ball has crossed the line.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Because they have VAR, I just assumed that Scotland has goal-line technology.
“I’m the guy who introduced goal-line tech into the game, so I’m amazed they haven’t got it.
“From the view looking down on the pitch, a ball can look in when it’s not.
“Therefore, the only way you can have an accurate decision is to put the seven cameras around every goal and use the Hawk-Eye system.
“I’m gobsmacked. I know they haven’t got the same money as the Premier League, but I think goal-line tech is more important than VAR.”
In other news, expert suggests when Liel Abada will quit Celtic amid “big” claim.