A contentious refereeing decision during the recent Celtic versus Rangers match has sparked significant debate. In the Scottish Premiership clash at Celtic Park on March 15, 2026, referee John Beaton did not award Celtic a penalty after a challenge by Rangers' John Souttar on Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi in the first half. The incident was checked by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Nick Walsh, who did not advise Beaton to review the decision on the pitchside monitor.
Post-match, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed clear frustration, stating he believed it was a "clear penalty." Rangers manager Philippe Clement offered a contrasting view, suggesting the officials made the correct call. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has not commented on the specific incident, maintaining its standard protocol of not publicly discussing in-game decisions.
The non-call has reignited ongoing discussions about the consistency of VAR implementation in Scottish football. Pundits and analysts across sports media have been divided, with some, like former referee Steve Conroy, telling media outlets they were surprised a penalty was not given, while others supported the on-field decision. The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the title race tightly poised.
