Celtic call for VAR to be ‘urgently reviewed’ after failed Auston Trusty appeal

Celtic have called for an urgent review of how VAR is deployed in Scottish football after failing to overturn Auston Trusty’s three-match ban.

The centre-back will miss his side’s next three William Hill Premiership matches after an appeal against his latest red card was thrown out by an appeal panel convened by the Scottish Football Association.

Trusty was sent off by referee Matthew McDermid in the second half of Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Hibernian after video assistant Grant Irvine flagged an incident involving Hibs midfielder Jamie McGrath as the pair jostled at a corner. Trusty struck down on McGrath’s arm with his hand.

A Celtic statement read: “We are hugely disappointed at today’s decision, which will now result in Auston Trusty being suspended for three matches after an ‘arm to arm’ contact as he looked to release himself from being held prior to the ball coming into play – the kind of incident which features in games across the country week in, week out.

“The match audio demonstrates that the referee saw the incident clearly. Immediately following the incident, the referee said: ‘It’s nothing, I’m just going to speak to them’ in terms of no further action being required.

“In discussions with Celtic manager Martin O’Neill after the match this was something he also confirmed.

“However, VAR again decided to intervene to ‘re-referee’ an initial decision which had been made.

“While we await the written judgement, this and other decisions in the match and in other recent games demonstrate a serious issue with VAR and its current deployment which needs (to be) urgently reviewed.”

Trusty will now sit out the upcoming trips to Rangers and Aberdeen as violent conduct carries a two-match ban, while he will also miss a third match – the visit of Motherwell – because it is his second red card of the league campaign.

The American was sent off against Hearts last month for denying a goalscoring opportunity, and Celtic’s appeal against that decision was also dismissed by the SFA.

On-loan Brentford defender Benjamin Arthur, academy graduate Dane Murray and Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney are the main contenders to deputise for centre-back Trusty in what is a crucial run of fixtures in the Hoops’ quest to defend their title.

St Mirren, meanwhile, succeeded in their appeal against Richard King’s red card in Saturday’s 5-0 home defeat by Motherwell.

The defender was sent off while his side trailed 3-0 early in the second half after swinging his hand in the direction of Callum Slattery while being held by the Motherwell midfielder as he tracked back.

There appeared to be minimal contact before Slattery went down holding his face.

After an appeal was upheld at a Scottish Football Association fast-track tribunal hearing on Tuesday, King will now be available for Saturday’s trip to Livingston.

Saints said: “While we are pleased with this outcome, we are frustrated by the decision taken on the field and the requirement to go to an appeals process.

“We are determined to work together with the Scottish FA’s refereeing department to ensure standards will improve for the benefit of our supporters and the wider Scottish game.”