Celtic VAR Row: Bobby Madden’s ‘Gospel’ Verdict Raises a Huge Question After St Mirren
Former referee Bobby Madden has explained the controversial Camilo Duran offside call, but his defence of the VAR process leaves Celtic supporters with an even bigger question about transparency.
Phillip Cooney 
Bobby Madden has attempted to explain one of the biggest VAR controversies from Celtic’s 2-1 victory over St Mirren — but his explanation arguably raises another important question.
The former Scottish referee addressed the decision to disallow Camilo Duran’s first-half goal in Paisley.
Images circulated after the match which appeared to show the Celtic forward onside when the ball was played.
However, Madden believes supporters may have been looking at the wrong frame.
Speaking on his Sohttps://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/16783694/st-mirren-celtic-var-blunder-delays-restart/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Near Yet So VAR podcast, Madden said: “I think the broadcaster has maybe provided the wrong kick point.”
He added that people then “take that as gospel” before comparing it with the image eventually produced by VAR.
Bobby Madden explains Celtic VAR controversy
Madden’s explanation is that VAR officials can use several different camera angles to establish the precise moment the ball is played.
Once that kick point is established, they can switch to another camera angle to judge whether the attacker is onside or offside.
That could explain why one widely shared image appeared to show Duran onside while the eventual VAR image produced a different outcome.
Technically, that explanation may be perfectly legitimate.
However, it also highlights the biggest problem with VAR in Scotland: transparency.
Supporters watching the game were presented with confusing images. They could not clearly see the ball in the image eventually used to demonstrate the decision.
They are therefore being asked to accept that another unseen angle established the correct kick point.
That is hardly ideal when VAR exists to provide greater certainty.
Celtic supporters deserve clarity
This is not about claiming officials deliberately got the decision wrong.
It is about whether Scottish football is providing supporters with enough evidence to understand why major decisions are being overturned.
Celtic also had Shim Mheuka’s stoppage-time goal disallowed after VAR was unable to use the normal offside-line process. Referee Ryan Lee was instead sent to the monitor to make a visual judgement.
Madden’s reported comments so far have concentrated on the Duran incident rather than providing a verdict on every controversial decision from the match.
That distinction matters.
But his explanation actually strengthens the argument for upgrading Scotland’s VAR technology.
If supporters have to be told afterwards that the crucial evidence existed on another camera angle they never saw, the system is failing one of VAR’s most important tests.
It may eventually produce the correct decision.
But supporters should also be able to understand precisely how it reached it.
VAR terms and conditions agreement signed by all clubs: “refereeing officials reserve the right to withhold secret images and/or invent them as they deem appropriate or convenient to their own ends.”
It’s all there in the rules folks,honest.
THE rules state if there inconclusive you go with the infield decision tha