Scottish FA Panel Rules Hatate Should Have Been Sent Off Against Kilmarnock

The Scottish FA’s key match incident review panel has concluded that Reo Hatate ought to have been dismissed during Celtic’s 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday. Hatate had received a yellow card for a challenge on Kilmarnock’s Liam Donnelly. The Celtic midfielder was cautioned for making contact with Liam Donnelly using his studs. Video assistant referee Don Robertson had agreed with the decision made by on-field official Nick Walsh. However, the KMI panel, by a 3-2 majority, determined that the offence constituted serious foul play that “endangered the safety of the opponent.” Consequently, they believe VAR should have intervened to recommend a review for a red card. This incident occurred in the closing stages of the game, with Celtic holding a 2-0 lead. Hatate was substituted five minutes before the end of the match. In the same fixture, the panel unanimously agreed that the yellow card issued to Joe Wright for his challenge on Adam Idah, where the Kilmarnock defender struck the Celtic striker with an elbow, was the correct call, and no VAR intervention was necessary.