Michael Stewart slammed a VAR decision in the Dundee derby that overturned a yellow card for Dundee United star Abdoulaye Yoro and then booked Ryan Finnigan. The referee, David Dickinson, made the call after VAR official John Beaton alerted him to check the sideline monitor.
Stewart, commentating for Premier Sports, described the decision as "absolute madness" and argued that Finnigan was running with the ball and could not be punished for a slide by Yoro. He added, "He (Finnigan) is running with the ball, he's kicked the ball; you can't punish Finnigan for that. That is absolute madness. He can't book Finnigan, that is absolute madness. That is madness; he is running with the ball and Yoro slides into his path. I am sorry, that is madness. He doesn't even stretch, Finnigan."
BBC commentator Steven Thompson also called the decision "outrageous". The incident highlighted the new "mistaken identity" rule that allows VAR to intervene when a wrong player is booked. However, many viewers and pundits felt the rule was misapplied in this case.
During the same match, Dundee goalkeeper Owen Goodman was allegedly struck by an object from the crowd, prompting the referee to involve the fourth official. The incident added to the controversy surrounding the match's officiating.
