Scottish Premiership Stir Dessers’ Goal Decision Fuels Debate

In the latest Scottish Premiership clash that ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw between Rangers and Celtic, a goal by Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers for Rangers was controversially disallowed, stirring debate among football enthusiasts and experts alike. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has notably questioned the decision, bringing the incident under further scrutiny.

The moment of contention occurred three minutes before the 60th mark, with Celtic leading 2-1. Dessers executed a finish from Abdallah Sima’s cutback pass, which initially seemed to bring the game level. However, centre referee John Beaton, after consulting with VAR, annulled the goal, citing a foul by Rangers’ Tom Lawrence on Celtic’s Tomoki Iwata during the buildup.

Gallagher, speaking to Sky Sports, acknowledged the foul but argued that its timing should not have nullified the goal’s legitimacy. I don’t think we’d argue it’s a foul but is it re-refereeing? They travel a long way, they have a lot of time to reset, he remarked, highlighting the distance and time between the foul and the goal which, in his view, should have allowed the goal to stand.

Despite the setback, Dessers contributed to the game with an assist for Sima’s goal, marking his first goal involvement against Celtic in the league. The 29 year old, who had a slow start at Ibrox, is now Rangers’ second top scorer in the league with 13 goals, indicating his rising form.

Editorial

The disallowing of Cyriel Dessers’ goal in the recent Rangers vs. Celtic match brings to the forefront the ongoing debate about the role and impact of VAR in football. While the technology was introduced to eliminate clear errors, incidents like these raise questions about its application and the subjective nature of decision making in football.

As fans of the beautiful game, we must grapple with the reality that football, much like life, is fraught with grey areas. The decision to disallow Dessers’ goal, despite the foul by Lawrence, speaks to the complexity of interpreting rules in real-time, high stakes situations. Gallagher’s comments shed light on the nuanced understanding required to make these calls, emphasizing the need for balance between technological assistance and the human element of refereeing.

This incident serves as a reminder of the passion and controversy that football can inspire. It also highlights the importance of continuous dialogue and review of the rules governing the game and the technologies that support their enforcement. As we move forward, let’s champion the spirit of fairness and the pursuit of clarity in the rules that guide our beloved sport.

Did You Know?

• The Scottish Premiership is known for its intense rivalries, with the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic being one of the most famous in world football.
• VAR Video Assistant Referee was first introduced in professional football in 2018 and has since been a topic of much debate among fans, players, and officials.
• Cyriel Dessers joined Rangers from Genk, having previously played in the Eredivisie and for the Nigerian national team.
• Dermot Gallagher, before retiring, was one of the most respected referees in the Premier League, known for his fair play and understanding of the game.
• The concept of re-refereeing with VAR is a contentious issue, with critics arguing it disrupts the flow of the game and leads to confusion over decisions.