*Aberdeen vs Celtic: The Behind-the-Scenes of the VAR Offside Ruling*
The recent Aberdeen vs Celtic match was marked by controversy surrounding a VAR offside ruling. Benjamin Nygren’s goal, which secured Celtic’s 2-1 victory, sparked debate after initial broadcast images suggested he was in an offside position ¹.
However, the Scottish FA released new footage clarifying the decision. According to Law 11 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, a player is considered offside only if they’re ahead of the ball and the second-to-last opponent when the ball is played. The decisive frame is the moment the ball leaves the passer’s foot ¹.
In this case, Nygren was level with the last defender when James Forrest played the ball across goal. VAR officials analyzed the frame where the pass was delivered, using calibrated lines to determine Nygren’s position. The goal was ultimately confirmed, with officials emphasizing that simply being in an offside position isn’t an offense ¹ ².
The incident highlights the complexity of VAR decisions and the importance of understanding the rules. Some argue the initial broadcast angle was misleading, while others question the lack of multiple lines drawn in the VAR screenshot ³ ².
Would you like to know more about the Laws of the Game or how VAR decisions are made in Scottish football?
