Pundit Backlash: Ray Parlour Taken to Task Over Controversial Kelechi Iheanacho Goal Verdict
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has found himself at the centre of a post-match media storm, facing a wave of criticism from fans and fellow pundits after his controversial verdict on Kelechi Iheanacho’s disallowed goal in Celtic’s Europa League defeat to SC Braga. The Hoops’ 2-0 loss at Celtic Park on Thursday was overshadowed by the VAR ruling, which has been widely branded a “scandalous” mistake.
The Disallowed Equaliser
The pivotal moment occurred early in the second half with Celtic trailing 1-0. Striker Kelechi Iheanacho broke through the Braga defence, appeared to control the ball off a defender, and slotted a superb finish into the net. The goal, which would have brought Celtic level and completely changed the momentum of the tie, was subjected to a lengthy VAR review.
German referee Tobias Stieler ultimately disallowed the goal for a perceived handball in the build-up. Replays shown on the broadcast, however, indicated the ball had likely struck Iheanacho’s face or shoulder, rather than his arm. The decision stunned players, manager Brendan Rodgers, and the entire Celtic support.
“The ball didn’t hit my hand; it hit my face,” Iheanacho stated in a post-match interview, calling the ruling an “awful decision” that changed the game.
Parlour’s Polarising Take
While a consensus quickly formed among the majority of football experts—including former players like Chris Sutton and Joe Hart—that the goal should have stood, Parlour’s perspective was one of the few to apparently side with the match officials, or at least suggest greater ambiguity. This differing view immediately drew the ire of the Celtic faithful and sections of the Scottish football media, who felt the punditry should be unanimous in condemning the glaring error.
The backlash focused on the fact that the evidence from multiple replay angles strongly suggested no clear or deliberate handball had occurred. For a decision of such magnitude to be upheld, especially without the on-field referee being sent to the pitchside monitor, only deepened the sense of injustice. Parlour’s comments, which have been interpreted as soft on the officials, placed him in direct opposition to the overwhelming sentiment that Celtic had been robbed of a vital equaliser.
Celtic Demand Answers
The fallout from the controversial ruling continues to escalate. Following the match, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his disbelief, calling the ruling “baffling” and stressing that VAR is meant to correct clear errors, which it had failed to do.
In a significant move, Celtic officials have reportedly written to UEFA to demand a full explanation for the VAR “howler.” Leaked audio from the VAR room, which reportedly referenced a “clear brush of the left arm,” has done little to soothe tensions, with critics arguing the evidence was anything but clear.
For Ray Parlour, his verdict has unintentionally placed him on the wrong side of one of the most hotly debated decisions of the European season, proving once again that in football, a controversial call can spark a disagreement that stretches far beyon
d the pitch.
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