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SFA Upholds Auston Trusty Red Card, Hands Celtic Defender Three-Match Ban

The decision heightens scrutiny of VAR in Scotland after Celtic said referee audio showed an initial view of no offence.

Overview

  • An SFA fast-track tribunal dismissed Celtic's wrongful dismissal appeal, confirming a three-match suspension that rules Auston Trusty out of the trip to Rangers and subsequent league games against Aberdeen and Motherwell.
  • Trusty was sent off for violent conduct after VAR official Grant Irvine directed referee Matthew MacDermid to a pitchside review of a corner-kick tussle with Jamie McGrath.
  • Celtic issued a public statement asserting match audio captured the referee saying "It's nothing" before the review and called for an urgent review of VAR deployment.
  • In a separate ruling, St Mirren’s Richard King had his red card overturned, intensifying debate over disciplinary consistency as former referees and players condemned Trusty’s dismissal, while Hibs manager David Gray said the officials were right.
  • The ban includes an extra game due to a prior sending off this season, and Trusty remains eligible for European fixtures and, as reported, the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Rangers on 8 March.