UEFA bosses will NOT give Celtic an explanation to the controversial no-goal ruling that robbed the champions of an equaliser against Sporting Braga at Parkhead on Thursday night.
The Hoops were fuming at the decision by the referee and the VAR team to wipe out the 51st-minute strike by Kelechi Iheanacho that looked perfectly legitimate.
The standside official flagged for a handball, but TV evidence clearly showed the ball hitting the Nigerian striker in the face before he carried on and tucked an effort into the Portuguese side’s net.
HEAD BHOY…Kelechi Iheanacho nods the ball forward before striding on and putting the ball in the Sporting Braga net for what looked like Celtic’s equaliser.
German whistler Tobias Stieler agreed with his assistant and VAR, remarkably, did not ask the referee to look again at the incident.
What looked like the leveller was nullified and, of course, Brendan Rodgers’ team went on to concede a late second goal as they slumped to a 2-0 loss.
The Irishman said: “I don’t know why the goal wasn’t given. It’s a real pivotal point in the game.”
It is highly unlikely Rodgers or Celtic will ever be given a reason for the shocking decision.
That’s because the governing body only publishes the reasons for VAR decisions in Champions League games and doesn’t do so for the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
BY THE LEFT…Kelechi Iheanacho whips in a low drive to leave the Sporting Braga keeper helpless – but match officials and VAR stepped in to controversially rule out the goal.
UEFA are not duty-bound to provide any clubs outwith the elite competition with an explanation, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
The club may receive a statement from the referees’ department, but that is unlikely to differ from the events of the evening. VAR officials would have had to believe there was enough solid evidence to overturn the decision as a clear and obvious error.
That seems to be the case with this ruling, but Celtic’s pleas are likely to go unanswered.
WE WANT ANSWERS: CELTIC RAGE AFTER VAR ‘NO GOAL’ VERDICT
