Ex-refs chief: VAR got it wrong as Aberdeen vs Motherwell controversy re-analysed
Keith Hackett has said that Liam Gordon should not have been sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) during Motherwell’s 2-0 loss to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.
The former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee has exclusively told Football Insider that VAR were wrong to intervene and advise John Beaton to review the decision, after he had initially made the right call.
Motherwell defender Gordon was the third player to be sent off at Pittodrie on Wednesday night as Aberdeen progressed to the cup quarter-finals.
The centre-back switched off with the ball at his feet in his own half in the 47th minute, allowing Toyosi Olusanya to pounce and set off towards goal before he was taken down by Gordon’s outstretched leg.
Beaton instantly gave a free-kick and produced a yellow card, but soon upgraded the decision to red for DOGSO after a VAR check.
- Read more: Keith Hackett can’t believe ‘very harsh’ John Beaton red card in Aberdeen win vs Motherwell
Hackett slams VAR for Gordon red card as wrong decision advised
Gordon’s teammate, Oscar Priestman, was also sent off in the third minute of the game in similar circumstances, with Hackett telling Football Insider that he was also wrongly dismissed.
Jens Berthel Askou will now be without two first-team players for their trip to St Mirren on Saturday, even though referee Beaton instantly came to the right decision on Gordon’s tackle.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said: “The referee’s first judgement on this is the correct one, to award a free kick and issue a yellow card for unsporting behaviour stopping a promising attack.
“VAR intervention is incorrect. The referee has not made a clear and obvious error. I am confident that one of the covering defenders was in a position to make a challenge.
“Therefore, the offence does not fulfil the criteria for DOGSO. Incorrect decision to issue a red card.”
John McGinn was not happy with Motherwell’s second red card
Motherwell supporters are not the only ones who were shocked at the decision to send Gordon off, with Aston Villa and Scotland star McGinn also weighing in on the controversy.
He was clearly watching on from home, as he took to X to mock the use of VAR and its correspondence with Beaton following Motherwell’s second red of the night.
McGinn wrote from the perspective of VAR official Chris Graham, saying: “I’ve sent you to the screen, let’s send you to an angle from the North Sea to back it up,” as well as: “Scottish var is a mess,” in a separate post outlining his own opinion.