Latest news with #Collum
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Collum admits 'good chance' ball over line in Rangers goal incident
The Scottish FA referee chief conceded that Nico Raskin's effort at Easter Road may have crossed the line before being cleared by Rocky Bushiri. This incident was followed by a lengthy VAR check after Hibs had raced up the park and equalised. However, Collum supported the decision not to award the goal due to the lack of a definitive camera angle proving the ball was over the line. In a candid discussion on the VAR Review show, Collum suggested the ball was likely in but defended the VAR and AVAR for adhering to protocol amidst criticism for their handling of similar situations in the past. Collum said: "Let's go back to two incidents this season first—Hibs vs Celtic, possible ball over the line, and Dundee United vs Hibs, possible handball before it goes into the goal. "We were criticised for both of those decisions, and rightly so, because ultimately, there was no conclusive evidence. "I know people who would look at this decision and say 'that camera angle, for me, is conclusive.' "But the reality is, that camera angle is at an angle looking in the way, there's nothing directly in line there." He referenced a similar incident from a World Cup match, where an angled camera shot suggested the ball was over the line, but a direct view proved otherwise. He continued: "Can the VAR and the AVAR there categorically, 100 per cent, say the ball was over the line? "Not for us. "Do I think it crossed the line? "I think there's a good chance it did. "But can I be absolutely certain of that? "No." Collum acknowledged the challenging nature of the situation, noting the difficulty in making a definitive call as the ball was off the ground in the final frame before being cleared. He said: "What doesn't help in this scenario is that the ball is not on the ground. "I think you could make a call here if the ball was on the ground, well over, there was loads of grass between it. "In terms of that camera angle, in terms of the ball being mid-air, can we be 100 per cent? "We don't think we can be."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Willie Collum responds to Rangers 'ghost goal' as ref chief emphatic on VAR but makes key admission over incident
Rangers were apoplectic over the incident but Collum has offered a rebuttal from the governing body Insistent Willie Collum reckons VAR were right to deny raging Rangers their 'ghost goal' against Hibs on the final day of the Premiership season. Nico Raskin was left aghast after his apparent opener at Easter Road wasn't given by referee Nick Walsh and his assistant referee then the on-field decision was held up by his VAR officials seconds before Hibs duly scored. The Ibrox side released an angry statement in which they claimed they would back Rangers TV commentator John Brown to the hilt if a charge followed after he described the call made by the match officials as "corrupt". And now Collum has waded into the furore. The former grade one admits the ball may well have crossed the line, however, he has robustly defended the SFA process by citing two flashpoints from earlier in the season which led to public condemnation of the governing body. Host Gordon Duncan was also on hand to deliver the follow-up Collum as he offered the case for no goal. Speaking on The VAR Review, Collum said: "Let's go back to two incidents this season first - Hibs vs Celtic, possible ball over the line, and Dundee United vs Hibs, possible handball before it goes into the goal. "We were criticised for both of those decisions, and rightly so, because ultimately, there was no conclusive evidence. "I know people who would look at this decision and say 'that camera angle, for me, is conclusive.' "But the reality is, that camera angle is at an angle looking in the way, there's nothing directly in line there. "I've quoted before, in a World Cup match, there was a similar angle shown in a Japan game [against Spain in 2022] where, if you'd used that angle, you would say the ball was over the line. "Then when you line it up directly in line, it only needs a slight part of the ball to be touching that line. "Can the VAR and the AVAR there categorically, 100 per cent, say the ball was over the line? Not for us. "Do I think it crossed the line? I think there's a good chance it did. "But can I be absolutely certain of that? No. "What doesn't help in this scenario is that the ball isn't on the ground. "I think you could make a call here if the ball was on the ground, well over, there was loads of grass between it. "In terms of that camera angle, in terms of the ball being mid-air, can we be 100%? We don't think we can be. "We've been criticised previously, we've now moved to say we'll only give a decision like that if we've got 100% conclusive evidence, so the VAR and AVAR are correct to say there that they don't have that evidence." Host Duncan jumped in: "I think a lot of people will say 'if that's not conclusive, then will you ever truly get conclusive evidence?' "I feel like everyone thinks that's over the line. "So if that isn't conclusive then I'm looking for something that's very unlikely to ever be there." Collum admitted: "If you have a goal-line camera, you've got a very good chance of catching it. "I think we could have come to a decision clearly if it's looking right down the barrel of the goal-line. "One thing that would make this clear is goal-line technology, it takes the human element away because the watch reacts or doesn't react and then it's absolutely categorical." Duncan, following on, asked: "On goal-line technology, I assume it goes without saying that you would welcome that if clubs were willing to pay and make your life easier?" Collum said: "No question, because what would happen is it would remove any doubt. "It would be categorical, but where it won't help you is for a ball in and out of play on the goal-line. "We discussed it, and I think the clubs and everybody in Scottish football would welcome it, it is in play in the semi-finals and the final of the League Cup and Scottish Cup as we use it at the national stadium. "I don't think anybody wouldn't welcome it, but it's a cost implication, you balance the cost with how many times in a competition in a season do you need it. "Maybe even just one decision could be crucial in deciding which way the championship goes, who gets into a European place, who's relegated, who ends up in a play-off. "So maybe even for the cost implication, when the stakes are so high, it would be better to have it than not to have it. "We would definitely welcome it, and we would certainly welcome it if it was possible in each match to have goal-line cameras."
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Willie Collum leaps to defence of VAR over Rangers ‘ghost goal' vs Hibs but admits ‘there's a good chance it DID go in'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Scottish Premiership season is over, but one incident from the final day is still being discussed. And now SFA Head of Referees Willie Collum has run the rule over the controversial moment. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Nico Raskin thought he'd doubled Rangers' lead in their final match against Hibs Credit: SNS 3 The ball appeared to cross the line but Nick Walsh waved play on and VAR confirmed the decision 3 SFA Head of Referees Willie Collum has had his say on the incident Rangers thought they'd doubled their advantage against Hibs when Nicolas Raskin appeared to bundle the ball over the line, only for referee Nick Walsh to wave play on. It proved a highly controversial incident, and now the SFA's VAR Review show has covered the decision, with host Gordon Duncan asking Collum for his defence of the call. Collum said: "Let's go back to two incidents this season first - Hibs vs Celtic, possible ball over the line, and Dundee United vs Hibs, possible handball before it goes into the goal. "We were criticised for both of those decisions, and rightly so, because ultimately, there was no conclusive evidence. "I know people who would look at this decision and say 'that camera angle, for me, is conclusive.' "But the reality is, that camera angle is at an angle looking in the way, there's nothing directly in line there. "I've quoted before, in a World Cup match, there was a similar angle shown in a Japan game [against Spain in 2022] where, if you'd used that angle, you would say the ball was over the line. "Then when you line it up directly in line, it only needs a slight part of the ball to be touching that line. "Can the VAR and the AVAR there categorically, 100%, say the ball was over the line? Not for us. "Do I think it crossed the line? I think there's a good chance it did. Premier League Darts star Stephen Bunting 'moonlighting as Rangers steward' as incredible Ibrox doppelganger spotted "But can I be absolutely certain of that? No. "What doesn't help in this scenario is that the ball isn't on the ground. "I think you could make a call here if the ball was on the ground, well over, there was loads of grass between it. "In terms of that camera angle, in terms of the ball being mid-air, can we be 100%? We don't think we can be. "We've been criticised previously, we've now moved to say we'll only give a decision like that if we've got 100% conclusive evidence, so the VAR and AVAR are correct to say there that they don't have that evidence." Duncan replied: "I think a lot of people will say 'if that's not conclusive, then will you ever truly get conclusive evidence?' "I feel like everyone thinks that's over the line. "So if that isn't conclusive then I'm looking for something that's very unlikely to ever be there." Collum admitted: "If you have a goal-line camera, you've got a very good chance of catching it. "I think we could have come to a decision clearly if it's looking right down the barrel of the goal-line. "One thing that would make this clear is goal-line technology, it takes the human element away because the watch reacts or doesn't react and then it's absolutely categorical." Duncan asked: "On goal-line technology, I assume it goes without saying that you would welcome that if clubs were willing to pay and make your life easier?" Inside the rise of ex-Rangers ultras chief turned mob boss waging gangland war across Scotland Collum said: "No question, because what would happen is it would remove any doubt. "It would be categorical, but where it won't help you is for a ball in and out of play on the goal-line. "We discussed it, and I think the clubs and everybody in Scottish football would welcome it, it is in play in the semi-finals and the final of the League Cup and Scottish Cup as we use it at the national stadium. "I don't think anybody wouldn't welcome it, but it's a cost implication, you balance the cost with how many times in a competition in a season do you need it. "Maybe even just one decision could be crucial in deciding which way the championship goes, who gets into a European place, who's relegated, who ends up in a play-off. "So maybe even for the cost implication, when the stakes are so high, it would be better to have it than not to have it. "We would definitely welcome it, and we would certainly welcome if it was possible in each match to have goal-line cameras." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Willie Collum provides verdict on four VAR incidents that hit Hearts hard
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now The head of referees has told Hearts his final verdict on four calls, some of which that has had a major impact on their season. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Head of referees Willie Collum has cast his verdict over three huge calls that have impacted Hearts' season. In the most recent VAR review, Collum assessed James Wilson's straight red card in a 1-0 loss against Dundee United which played a major role in the club missing out on top six football. A draw at Motherwell the following week would seal their bottom six fate. Then against Aberdeen last weekend in the Scottish Cup final, Michael Steinwender was shown a straight red for a challenge on Topi Keskinen. Head coach Neil Critchley said 'I've never seen a referee get a red card out quicker in my entire life' when it came to match official John Beaton. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the quarter final stage, Mo Sylla was only yellow carded as Hearts broke away in a Scottish Cup quarter final clash against Dundee they eventually won. Cammy Devlin's second booking in the 2-1 defeat after extra time also sparked anger as Hearts released a statement in the aftermath questioning both yellows for the midfielder. A tweet from the Ref's View podcast, ran by ex officials Des Roache and Steve Conroy, said Beaton 'got this spectacularly wrong' when it came to the second yellow and now Collum has provided his verdict on all three crucial Hearts moments. Wilson red vs Dundee United 'This incident is really good positioning from the referee. We have coached referees when there is a loose ball like that then their antenna has to go up. They have to be ready to expect something could happen, not to prejudge a situation, but be ready. The referee is very aware. The referee is strong and well positioned and correctly gives a red card. The Hearts player dives into the challenge, studs up, it's a clear red card. There is nothing here to suggest why would we reduce from a red to a yellow. If the referee had given a yellow, we would expect VAR intervention.' Sylla yellow vs Hearts 'If the referee stops the game at that point, then of course it's a red card. But it is very good refereeing. He sizes up the situation, plays on and gives the advantage. He's shouting play on and he goes back and gives a yellow not a red. It is no longer denying a obvious goalscoring opportunity as you have allowed an advantage. There is a couple of people who said it's still a red card but of course not as the advantage was allowed. If a red had been showed we'd expect VAR to get involved as that would have been categorically wrong. The yellow card is mandatory.' Steinwender red vs Aberdeen 'The referee faced some criticism due to how quickly he produces the red card. But that is down to our coaching. When a DOGSO (denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity) situation like this occurs, the referee is asked to consider several elements. Control of the ball, direction of the player, distance to the goal, covering defenders and even the speed of the ball. The referee needs to make his mind up in a split second and almost take a picture of that incident. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We tell referees to take their time with certain incidents. In that kind of scenario, never. If the referee approaches the incident and starts to weigh everything up, you lose the whole perspective of it. We expect referees to immediately make a decision about DOGSO. If you are hesitant here, you can easily misjudge this incident. This is a crucial decision after 43 minutes of a Scottish Cup semi-final. 'The referee is focused. You hear him say, 'Danger' because he's aware that something might happen and there could be a potential incident like this. The VAR is right to support the decision. The player has an unobstructed run towards goal. If the Hearts player doesn't make the tackle and commit the foul, the Aberdeen player is in on goal. Taking it one step further, if the referee had given a yellow card, we would expect them to recommend an onfield review to change and upgrade it.' Devlin second yellow vs Aberdeen 'It's a very subjective decision. It's very understandable why you could reach a conclusion of reckless, and I also understand people having another opinion. VAR can't get involved. It's a worldwide protocol. There's been certain clips about second yellow cards in Scotland that if VAR could have got involved then it would have as they have been clearly wrong. Saturday's is not that. If we move the protocol forward in future, and you could get involved, we would not expect VAR intervention.'
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Willie Collum salutes 'perfect' Rangers no goal VAR protocol as damning Maeda fallout triggers change
Willie Collum has saluted the VAR protocol which denied Rangers and Hamza Igamane - weeks after a damning indictment over Daizen Maeda's disallowed goal at Easter Road. The referee chief admits officials will ace every judgement call but Collum was bullish as he insisted that lessons had been learned and it was textbook stuff from his men on the field during the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen. Collum concedes guarantees are non-starter but there was no mea culpa from the big call in Rangers' visit to the Granite City earlier this month. A previous incident happened earlier in the campaign at Easter Road with Collum holding his hands up at the time and admitting the decision against Celtic was wrong. Speaking on the VAR Review show, Collum explained: "It is the same process. I want to be open and say again, it emphasises the coaching we are delivering. We learn from previous decisions that it is important people say you make mistakes, you come and say it is an error, well how do you go about fixing it? "We coach the match officials and here this is handled the way we want it to be handled. "The assistant referee says the ball is out of play. But he delays the flag perfect in terms of the VAR protocol because if he triggers too early and flags and the referee blows for a goal-kick, the goal is scored then it is a point of no return. We can't award the goal. "So he delays the flag then says when the ball hits the net 'ball out of play, goal-kick'. The VAR immediately go into a check then "They don't have any angle. There is nothing to say what the assistant referee has said is wrong. We could look at this clip right now and for us it looks like the ball is out of play, but can we absolutely guarantee it? Can we prove it? No. So we support the on-field decision there. "This is textbook in the way we expect this incident to be handled. Importantly as well I should emphasize the correct protocol is followed, allowing the goal to be scored then we go back and deal with the situation." Asked about the frustration from players, clubs and fans that they want definitive proof and why they can't get that, he continued: "Remember I spoke about at the Hibs vs Celtic incident that people said if you had goal-line technology that would solve the problem? "But the watch and audio for goal-line technology only triggers when the ball enters the goal. It doesn't trigger when it goes either side of the goal. "Again, we utilise the angles. Here is a live TV match for example [Hibs vs Celtic] and the goal-line camera doesn't identify the ball being in or out. It is just the angle it is at. So we have to rely on the other angle which looks out and it looks like the assistant referee has made the correct call but we can't be definitive. If we can't be definitive we support the on field decision." A second incident took place in the game involving Kevin Nisbet with his strike ruled out. Collum added: "The laws of the game are quite clear. If it strikes your arm whether it is intentional or not and you score directly then the goal must be disallowed. It doesn't count in this situation. Many people will disagree with that but that is the law and what we need to take into account here. " Last weekend at Hampden, two flashpoints came under review by VAR as Celtic ran out huge winners in the Scottish Cup semi-final. The first was a disallowed goal for the Saints for a push on Adam Idah. The referee initially allowed the goal to stand but it was then overturned on review. Collum said: "I am convinced by this decision. You need to talk about threshold. Football is a contact sport and it is possible you could be touching somebody and not pushing them. Here though I think there is a pushing motion and it is clear for me." On a penalty being overturned on James Forrest, he added: "There is an initial challenge outside the box. When they come inside the first challenge is what the referee awards the penalty for and the VAR immediately has to go into a check there. "The referee's position could have been better. He gives himself thinking time but he could have been closer to the incident. "I have to say watching live, I was watching the footage live in the VAR centre and for me, it looked like a penalty kick. "When you start to analyse it, the challenge the referee has punished there is no contact or minimal contact. I actually don't think there is any. "The Celtic player goes down, there has been talk over an arm coming across but that is not enough in terms of a threshold for us to award a penalty kick here. This is a correct intervention again. Bring the referee to the monitor and let them see it."
