Scottish Football Association provide explanation for Hibernian handball incident

The decision to allow Hibernian F.C.’s equaliser against Celtic F.C. at Easter Road has come under renewed scrutiny following clarification from the Scottish Football Association.

Joe Newell’s goal brought Hibs level just before half-time, but attention quickly turned to the build-up, with strong appeals that the ball had struck his arm before the finish. Celtic players reacted immediately, believing the incident warranted closer examination given the nature of the contact inside the box.

Although the moment was reviewed, the goal was allowed to stand. At the time, only a routine VAR check was communicated, but further details have since emerged. According to Sky Sports, the SFA concluded there was “insufficient evidence of a handball to overturn the on-field decision.”

That explanation is unlikely to settle the debate. From a Celtic perspective, the controversy centres not only on whether there was contact, but how such incidents are interpreted in congested penalty-area situations.

Crucially, the wording does not rule out a handball entirely—it simply indicates the evidence was not clear enough to justify VAR intervention. That distinction has become the focal point of the discussion, with many arguing the threshold for overturning decisions remains too high.

The timing of the incident added to its significance. Celtic were leading and in control, even playing against ten men, before the equaliser shifted momentum and gave Hibernian renewed belief.

Although Celtic ultimately secured victory thanks to a decisive goal from Kelechi Iheanacho, the controversy remains a key talking point—especially with the title race entering its final stages, where every decision carries added weight.