Image source, SNS- Published20 March 2026
Scottish head of refereeing Willie Collum wants to discuss red cards where a player has committed denial of a goalscoring opportunity with clubs, but hopes officials will "remain consistent" for the rest of the season.
Collum agreed that Liam Gordon's red card for a foul on Toyosi Olusanya in Motherwell's Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat by Aberdeen, which came after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, was justified in keeping with other similar dismissals.
However, Collum says the Gordon incident, which took place near the halfway line, is the type of decision he would like to discuss with clubs.
"It's actually not about covering defenders for me or distance, it's actually about the speed that the Aberdeen players has been able to pick up because he latches on to a mistake," Collum told the Scottish FA's latest VAR Review., external
"We want to remain consistent between now and the end of the season because then if we don't, clubs will question that. We would like to review the DOGSO situation with clubs."
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A similar incident involving Rangers' Mikey Moore being challenged outside the Livingston box by Cammy Kerr in the sides' 2-2 Scottish Premiership draw was also discussed.
No foul was awarded to Rangers but Collum said an on-field review should have taken place, resulting in a free-kick and a red card for Kerr. The incident happened late in the match.
On the same day, Celtic lost 2-1 at home to Hibernian in a match that featured a red card for the hosts' Auston Trusty, which was awarded following a VAR review. Celtic appealed unsuccessfully against the dismissal.
Collum said it was a "clear red card" for "excessive force" towards his marker, Jamie McGrath, at a corner.
In the same game, Celtic claimed unsuccessfully for a penalty following Warren O'Hora's challenge on Liam Scales. Collum said an on-field review and penalty award should have taken place.
Collum agreed with the VAR-awarded penalties for handballs against Rangers' Dujon Sterling in the 2-2 Premiership draw with Celtic, against Partick Thistle's Robbie Crawford in their 2-1 Scottish Cup defeat by St Mirren and against Simon Murray in Dundee's 2-2 league draw with Dundee United.
Reo Hatate's penalty for Celtic was saved but he eventually scored in the aftermath, Dan Nlundulu scored St Mirren's spot-kick against Thistle and United took the lead through Amar Fatah's conversion.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was booked for a challenge on Motherwell's Elijah Just in Celtic's 3-1 home win last weekend.
"We would describe this sometimes as a high-end yellow, orange card," said Collum.
"I know there's people in refereeing who would think this leans more towards a red card.
"Is there something clear here with the images we're seeing that would bring the referee to the monitor to upgrade to a red card? I don't think so.
"But, I could also say that if the referee had given red card on-field, we would've check completed that decision as well."
