In a recent match between Hibernian FC and Aberdeen, a significant incident occurred where a Jordan Obita cross struck the arm of Aberdeen defender Nick Devlin. Despite the potential penalty-worthy nature of the incident, the on-field decision to wave it away was not reviewed by VAR, and referee David Munro was not advised to consult the pitchside monitor.
Following the match, Hibernian officials raised concerns with the Scottish FA, highlighting what they believed to be a serious oversight in the application of VAR protocol. The club engaged in discussions with the Scottish FA, seeking clarification and rectification regarding the incident.
After reviewing the game, the Scottish FA acknowledged that an error had indeed occurred, as VAR should have referred the incident for an on-field review. Consequently, the Scottish FA issued an apology to Hibernian FC for the incorrect decision made during the match.
Hibernian FC released a statement confirming the receipt of the apology and reiterated their commitment to working with the Scottish FA to address officiating concerns, particularly regarding VAR errors. This incident adds to previous instances where Hibernian has expressed dissatisfaction with VAR decisions, highlighting ongoing challenges with officiating in Scottish football.