Joe Hart ‘flabbergasted’ as Kelechi Iheanacho goal ruled out for ‘ridiculous’ handball during Celtic’s UEFA Europa League defeat to Braga

Celtic were chasing the game after Ricardo Horta caught out Kasper Schmeichel with a strike from distance in the first half, but thought they had a leveller when Kelechi Iheanacho slotted into the far corner after racing through on goal.

However, Iheanacho – and Hart in the TNT Sports commentary box – were left bewildered when referee Tobias Stieler signalled the goal would be subject to a VAR check for an apparent handball.

Replays seemed to show the ball, at most, hitting the top of Iheanacho’s shoulder. Former Celtic goalkeeper Hart initially lamented the decision for VAR to intervene.

“There’s VAR checking for a handball, trying to ruin everyone’s fun,” Hart said. “But no, it comes off his head.

“What could they possibly be waiting for here? They must be seeing a different replay to me, what are they looking for? What are we wasting our time for? It comes off his forehead, (he) settles himself, bottom corner, Celtic back in the game, energy is up.”

The wait for a verdict dragged on.

“This is ridiculous,” Hart said. “I presume there’s a bad Wi-Fi connection, that would be the only reason we’re not just getting on with this game right now at 1-1.”

Then, the news Hart and Iheanacho had dreaded. After an extensive review, Iheanacho was penalised – and Hart was left in disbelief.

“What?” he remarked. “Are you seeing the same replays as me? The ball comes up, no touch, hits his cheek. I’m flabbergasted. I could argue it might glance the top of his shoulder. That’s not a crime.”

The significance of the incident was highlighted further as Celtic struggled to create chances to force another opportunity at goal, and Braga sealed the victory when substitute Gabri Martinez fired home five minutes from time, sparking mass exits from Celtic Park.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Iheanacho said he sought clarification over the decision, but received little in the way of a helpful response.

“For me, that wasn’t a handball,” he said. “I think the referee saw it. I was asking the ref what was going on, he said they’re checking and then said it’s handball. I was telling him it wasn’t handball, and he probably agreed with me. I don’t know what’s going on, that’s not a good one from them. Crazy.”

Stiliyan Petrov in the TNT Sports studio was equally confused.

“I’ve got an appointment with the optician on Monday, I thought my eyes were good,” Petrov quipped. “I just can’t see anything wrong with this situation. I’d like to have more clarity of what exactly the VAR has seen. Is there something I’m missing?”

Next to him, Alan Hutton added: “I’ve seen it 20 times and I still can’t see it. If it’s inconclusive, how can it go to VAR, to make a 100% positive decision that it’s a handball and disallow it?

“I do feel for them (Celtic), because I think that’s a good goal. It’s a great strike as well. It deserved to be 1-1 at that moment and then the game can maybe change. I think it’s a poor decision.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “We started the half well, good pressure, Kels finishes and it’s 1-1 and it’s a different game then. I don’t know why it was (disallowed).

“There’s no doubt the second half of the first half we weren’t the better team. But second half we came out and it should be 1-1. I’m assuming they were asking for handball, but there’s no way it’s handball. That’s why VAR is there, to assess that.”

Hours before kick-off, Celtic fans called off plans to hold a silent protest for 29 minutes of the match – after the club’s board agreed to hold talks with frustrated fans amid tension between the hierarchy and supporters.

Concerns from the stands stemmed from a perceived lack of investment in the summer, and has culminated with an indifferent start to the season – Thursday’s defeat leaving Celtic with a single point from their first two Europa League matches, having previously suffered the disappointment of defeat in UEFA Champions League qualifying.