Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was left exasperated after Kelechi Iheanacho’s would-be equaliser was disallowed in their 2-0 Europa League defeat by Braga.
The controversy unfolded around the 51st minute, when Iheanacho intercepted a clearance from former Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke and buried the ball in the net. Rodgers and many in the stadium believed it should have stood.
However, referee Tobias Stieler ruled it out for handball, and after over two minutes of VAR review, video assistant Christian Dingert backed the on-field decision.
In his post-match comments, Rodgers said:
“I can’t understand why the referee isn’t asked to go and have a look at it … It’s hit his face, he’s gone on and finished it really, really well. … There’s absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he’s touched it.”
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He described the ruling as “baffling” and questioned why the official was not instructed to review monitor footage.
Braga had taken the lead earlier via a long-range strike from Ricardo Horta, and later sealed the win through Gabri Martinez.
Editorial
We share in Rodgers’ frustration. Decisions like these not just in high-profile European games, but in any competitive match undermine trust in officiating and the integrity of the competition. When a goal is disallowed despite replays showing no clear handball, it raises larger questions about the limits of VAR and how referees interpret ambiguous moments.
This isn’t merely about Celtic losing a match they may have made errors elsewhere, but this decision arguably shifted momentum. In knockout or group formats, small margins carry big weight. A valid equaliser could have changed the tactical dynamics, the morale, and perhaps even the final outcome.
VAR’s purpose is correction. When a situation is complex, transparency is essential: referees should be able to view replays, explain their reasoning, and overturn if necessary. Here, Rodgers is justified in demanding clarity. The silence or inability to explain breeds suspicion, not trust.
For Iheanacho, this moment must sting. Strikers live for decisive contributions. But moments like these also test resilience. He and his teammates must respond not by dwelling on what should have been, but by raising their performance in the minutes and matches ahead.
We expect the governing bodies will need to address this. If they don’t, fans, clubs, and players will continue to question whether technological support is improving justice or disguising error. The hope is that from “baffling” moments, better processes emerge.
Did You Know?
- Iheanacho’s disallowed goal came in the 51st minute after intercepting a clearance and finishing clinically.
- The referee who disallowed the goal was Tobias Stieler, and the VAR official was Christian Dingert.
- Rodgers questioned why the referee was never asked to review the incident on the monitor, a step he felt should have been allowed.
- The initial goal came after a loose pass placed Lagerbielke in trouble, which Iheanacho pounced on.
- Braga had secured their lead earlier with a 35-yard strike by Ricardo Horta and later sealed the win via Gabri Martinez.
