McIness’ fury as VAR cancels Donnelly goal
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes left McDiarmid Park feeling as though he had been mugged by VAR.
Referee Craig Napier ordered off St Johnstone’s James Brown for a foul on Liam Donnelly, only to rescind his decision after watching a replay.
He then disallowed a Donnelly goal from a corner on the advice of VAR, Euan Anderson, without reviewing the incident.
“I’m really disappointed in the goal that was ruled out,” said McInnes.
“There was no foul on the keeper. If there’s any foul on Stevie May, the contact is minimal.
“The keeper should punch it. He tries to catch it, spills it and the goal should stand.
“The keeper just needs to be stronger and there isn’t enough for a free-kick.
“I’m not here wanting players to be sent off. It could be a yellow, it could be a red.
“It’s on the referee to interpret it, but for him to take just shy of four minutes to make the decision would suggest it’s not a clear and obvious error.
“We were told VAR would only get involved for that.”
McInnes stopped short of slating Mr Napier, however.
“In defence of the ref, he was given the same angle of the tackle for three-and-ahalf minutes,” he said.
“We were told there would be different angles of incidents but he kept getting the same one.
“It was so harsh on him. He had to get involved with VAR and came to his decision, but I disagreed with him.
“That took four minutes. We had a minute to sort the disallowed goal, the physio was on twice and there were eight subs.
“Yet we only got six minutes added. “We were told at the referees’ meeting that they’d get the decision as quickly as possible, and that delays would be added on.
“We got neither.
“We didn’t get the luxury of the time and we should have had that
opportunity.”