Scotland FA Seeks Clarity From UEFA Over Disallowed Goal
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is seeking clarity from UEFA over a controversial disallowed goal in Scotland’s 2-0 defeat to Spain in a Euro 2024 qualifier at the Estadio De La Cartuja in Seville on June 10th, 2021. The goal, scored by midfielder Scott McTominay, was ruled out by Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk after a video assistant referee (VAR) check, with Uefa stating it was for offside rather than the initial call of a foul by Jack Hendry on goalkeeper Unai Simon as communicated on screen in the stadium.
SFA president Mike Mulraney told BBC Scotland’s Sportsound programme that they have asked for clarity and an understanding of what the process was, but have not asked for the audio of the match officials as they did not think they would get it. He added that transparency is very important and that’s what they have asked for, and he is sure Uefa will be forthcoming with an explanation which they can then give out to the fans and nation of Scotland who were left confused by the decision and subsequent explanation of it.
John McGinn, a midfielder for Scotland, stated post-match that the referee had initially communicated to them that the goal had been ruled out for a foul, leading to further confusion over the decision and its explanation by Uefa.
Mulraney believes it will become common for VAR audio to be released in football, but that point has not yet arrived, and he added that part of the reason they have not asked for it is because they did not think they would get it.
The SFA president stated that they have a responsibility to their fans and the nation to represent them properly, and that it’s not just Scotland who have been questioning this, with messages from all over Europe asking what happened?
The defeat leaves Scotland in third place in Group F of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, behind Spain and Norway who are both on seven points, with Scotland on four points after three games played so far in the group stage.
The controversy surrounding the disallowed goal has led to calls for greater transparency in football when it comes to VAR decisions, with many fans and players alike calling for audio of match officials’ conversations to be made available in order to ensure greater clarity and understanding of decisions made by VARs during matches.
It remains to be seen whether Uefa will provide an explanation for the disallowed goal which satisfies the SFA and Scottish fans, or whether audio of match officials’ conversations will become available in order to provide greater clarity and understanding of VAR decisions in football going forward.