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VAR in Scotland: Independent Review Panel finds three incorrect decisions in cinch Premiership

The VAR Independent Review Panel was set up at the start of this season; Bojan Miovski's penalty for Aberdeen against St Mirren, the red card shown to Dundee's Josh Mulligan and Amadou Bakayoko's disallowed goal for Dundee against Livingston deemed as errors

Referee Willie Collum at the VAR screen during a cinch Premiership match
Image: VAR was introduced midway through last season in Scotland

Three decisions have been deemed incorrect by the VAR Independent Review Panel (IRP) following the first round of cinch Premiership fixtures this season.

Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski's so-called double-hit penalty against St Mirren and two incidents that went against Dundee were flagged up as mistakes by the panel.

The IRP claimed a red card handed to Dundee midfielder Josh Mulligan and the Tayside club's disallowed goal against Livingston were errors.

There have been 407 VAR checks since the start of the season, 24 of which led to on-field reviews.

The IRP was set up by the governing body ahead of the start of the season, the first full campaign with the video technology in place.

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Scottish FA head of referee operations Crawford Allan reflects on the first year of VAR being used in the SPFL.

The panel of former players, managers and coaches is guided by experts on the Laws of the Game and gives an analysis of interventions and non-interventions from VAR.

The 12 Premiership clubs held a meeting with the Scottish FA's referees department on Thursday to review the performance of VAR during the opening round of fixtures.

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Audio of conversations between match officials and the VAR control room was relayed to the club representatives and explanations were given over how some key match incidents were dealt with.

Miovski's spot-kick equaliser in the 10th minute of stoppage time in Paisley on August 27 prevented St Mirren from going top of the league.

PAISLEY, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 27: Aberdeen's Bojan Miovski scores to make it 2-2 during a cinch Premiership match between St Mirren and Aberdeen at the SMiSA Stadium, on August 27, 2023, in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Image: Bojan Miovski's penalty saw Aberdeen draw at St Mirren meaning the hosts could not go top of the table

There was a VAR check after Miovski dispatched the penalty as Saints goalkeeper Zach Hemming claimed the North Macedonia striker had touched the ball twice after slipping while taking the spot-kick, but the goal was given.

Mulligan was sent off for a challenge on Danny Armstrong in Dundee's 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock on September 23.

Video assistant referee Euan Anderson asked David Munro to review the incident but the referee stuck by his original decision.

DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Referee Graham Grainger shows the red card to Dundee's Josh Mulligan during a cinch Premiership match between Dundee and Kilmarnock at the Kilmac Stadium, on September 23, 2023, in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)
Image: Referee Graham Grainger sent off Dundee's Josh Mulligan in a game against Kilmarnock

Dundee boss Tony Docherty said after the game: "I thought it was never a red card and I said that to the referee.

"Yes, it was a foul and a booking. It's about consistency - if that's the decision for that tackle then there should have been seven or eight red cards."

Dundee subsequently failed to overturn the red card following an appeal.

LIVINGSTON, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 28: Dundee's Amadou Bakayoko looks dejected after his goal is ruled out for offside by VAR during a cinch Premiership match between Livingston and Dundee at the Tony Macaroni Arena, on October 28, 2023, in Livingston, Scotland.  (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Image: Dundee's Amadou Bakayoko had his goal at Livingston ruled out for offside by VAR

The IRP also felt Dundee were on the receiving end of an injustice when Amadou Bakayoko had a goal disallowed in a 2-0 win at Livingston on October 28.

Referee Willie Collum ruled the goal out after reviewing footage, deciding at least one offside Dundee player was interfering with play.

Scottish Premiership and SWPL on Sky Sports

SPFL ball for 2023/24 season

Sky Sports - This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports' flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premiership will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL.

Sky Sports News - Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News' (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season.

Sky Sports Digital - Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights.

Sky Sports Social - Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports' main social media channels, the bespoke X page @ScotlandSky (formerly known as Twitter) will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports.

Highlights show - Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football.

To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit Sky Sports website click here.

Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with action from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Women's Premier League, Premier League, WSL, EFL, and more.

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