Sky Sports Release VAR Audio on Celtic Penalty Decision Against Kilmarnock
The VAR audio reviewing the controversial handball incident that led to Celtic’s late penalty against Kilmarnock has now been made public.
When the Hoops met Killie at Rugby Park in September, the match was tied 1–1 deep into stoppage time. In the final moments, James Forrest fired a shot that struck Kilmarnock defender Robbie Deas before deflecting onto Lewis Mayo’s outstretched arm at close range.
VAR officials noticed the possible handball and examined multiple camera angles before advising referee John Beaton to conduct an on-field review. After watching a few replays on the pitchside monitor, Beaton concluded that Mayo had handled the ball and awarded Celtic a penalty — which Kelechi Iheanacho successfully converted to seal a 2–1 victory.
The decision sparked major controversy, with Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell furious that his team had been punished in such circumstances.
Weeks after the incident, Sky Sports have now released the full VAR audio, revealing how the officials reached their decision.
What the VAR Audio Reveals
Matthew MacDermid served as VAR for the match, with Ross Hardie as his assistant. MacDermid first confirmed that the ball struck Mayo’s forearm and then sought to determine whether the defender’s arm was positioned unnaturally. Hardie noted that Mayo’s forearm was “slightly extended,” although his upper arm remained close to his body.
MacDermid observed that the ball clearly deflected off Deas before hitting Mayo’s arm but still recommended an on-field review, arguing that the arm was away from the body and raised to shoulder height — factors consistent with a potential handball offence.
As Beaton reviewed the incident on the monitor, MacDermid guided him through the key clips, again emphasising the ball’s path from Deas to Mayo’s raised arm. Beaton quickly decided to award Celtic the penalty but opted not to book the Kilmarnock defender.
Kettlewell’s Reaction
After the match, Kettlewell expressed disbelief at the decision, referencing pre-season briefings that stated handballs following close-range deflections — whether from an opponent or teammate — would no longer be punished.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:
“We were told at the start of the season that if the ball ricochets from such a short distance — like that one, where both players are virtually on top of each other — it shouldn’t be given as a penalty. That’s what we understood, what the staff and players heard. So we’re just asking for clarity — is that still the rule, or has it changed?”
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