Sky Sports have moved to clarify the controversy surrounding Alistair Johnston’s challenge on Mikey Moore during Sunday’s Glasgow Derby clash, insisting the VAR officials had access to every available camera angle before reaching their decision…
Debate intensified following Celtic’s 3-1 victory over the Ibrox club after footage shown during half-time analysis led Kris Boyd, Neil Lennon and James McFadden to argue Johnston was fortunate to avoid a red card for the tackle.
Further confusion emerged on Ref Watch when former referee Dermot Gallagher suggested the VAR team – headed by John Beaton – had not initially seen all the relevant replays during the match itself.
Sky Sports have now publicly rejected that claim and confirmed the officials reviewing the incident at Clydesdale House had the complete set of broadcast angles available at the time of the review.
‘All angles of Alistair Johnston’s tackle on Mikey Moore were available to VAR’
“Sky Sports can clarify that all angles of Alistair Johnston’s tackle on Mikey Moore were available to VAR during Sunday’s Old Firm clash,” they told via Sky Sports’ website.
“It was suggested on Ref Watch that the VAR team, led by John Beaton, did not have the full range of angles available until half time.
“However, the officials at Clydesdale House did in fact have all angles at their disposal.
“The decision was fully reviewed by the VAR team, who were satisfied that referee Nick Walsh’s decision to book Celtic defender Johnston was the correct outcome.”
The incident remained one of the main talking points following the derby, with opinion divided over whether Johnston’s challenge warranted a dismissal rather than the yellow card issued by referee Walsh on the pitch.
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