Aberdeen’s win against Hearts on Sunday was one full of refereeing controversy and there was plenty to keep referee John Beaton and his officials busy at Pittodrie.
There was nothing controversial for the first two goals of the game, which the Dons won 3-2, with the first bit of discussion coming as the away side took the lead.
Hearts were awarded a corner before Blair Spittal found the net with an excellent long ranged effort.
Just before the corner was awarded Aberdeen fullback and recent Scotland call-up Nicky Devlin was appealing for a foul.
Devlin successfully blocked a James Penrice cross into the box, before the ball looked to be bouncing out for a corner.
The Aberdeen defender managed to get his body in front of the ball and went down under pressure from his former Livingston teammate.
For me he was trying to be too cute, he didn’t want to put the ball out for a corner so was waiting for the contact to be initiated.
It was very soft and Devlin knew what he was doing, for me it was definitely not a foul.
There simply wasn’t enough in it.
Dons were lucky officials missed quickly taken free kick
The hosts would hit back in controversial fashion as Devlin was once again involved.
However, there were no issues with the goal itself.
The issue lies with the quick free kick Graeme Shinnie took.
At the time I was certain the ball was moving and I thought the referee definitely missed this.
To me it was fairly obvious the ball was not stationary and play should’ve been pulled back.
Of course, unfortunately for Hearts a few passes later and the game is back to a draw.
As per the IFAB Laws of The Game they do not allow restart decisions to be looked at by VAR.
This includes, free kicks, corners and throw ins.
Aberdeen were certainly let off the hook with this decision, the ball was most certainly moving and play should have been stopped.
Luckily for Jimmy Thelin, this was missed by the referee and with VAR unable to correct his mistake, the goal stood.
Grant’s temper got the better of him
Jorge Grant would be booked for his complaints following the goal, a silly caution for dissent which would prove costly.
Ten minutes on from the equaliser, Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes, making his first appearance of the season, would be hacked down by Grant.
A silly and needless foul, especially when you’re on a booking. Beaton would correctly issue a second caution and send off the Hearts midfielder.
He simply doesn’t need to make that challenge. Yes, Duk is on the counter but there are still bodies back.
On a booking in a tight game you want to avoid diving in and running the risk of completely missing the ball and catching your man.
No doubt in my mind a second yellow and sending off was spot on.
Shankland fortunate to stay on the pitch
I think one of the biggest talking points of the match has to be Lawrence Shankland.
The former Don always seems to have some involvement in these games.
I thought he was a very lucky boy to stay on the pitch.
He had so many late and needless fouls, which eventually resulted in his first booking.
After he was cautioned he continued his war path, going through Slobodan Rubezic before appearing to leave an elbow into the ribs of Jack MacKenzie which was missed by Beaton.
He would then go on to kick the ball away after it had clearly gone out, something which is a hot topic south of the border right now.
Ante Palaversa would be booked for the exact same thing later in the game.
In the dying embers Dimitar Mitov would strongly claim a cross into the box, with Shankland appearing to lead with his head into the chest of Mitov.
The Dons keeper was unaffected by the move and wasn’t afraid to let the Hearts captain know of his delight at sealing the game.
I think on another day he would’ve seen a red and I don’t think anybody would’ve batted an eyelid.
Finlay Elder was a registered referee for six years and a category 5 official from 2019, with experience in the Highland League, Juniors and Club Academy.
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