BOMBSHELL — The SFA have released VAR audio of Julian Araujo’s controversial Celtic tackle against Dundee United that saw the full back escape with just a yellow card

The SFA have published VAR audio from Julian Araujo’s contentious Celtic challenge against Dundee United that resulted in the full-back avoiding dismissal and receiving only a yellow card.

The decision not to send Araujo off has been supported by head of refereeing Willie Collum, who explained that while the tackle was deemed “reckless”, it did not meet the threshold of “endangering an opponent”.

The Hoops went on to secure a convincing 4-0 victory last Saturday in Martin O’Neill’s first match since returning as interim manager.

However, the main flashpoint of the contest came late in the first half when Bournemouth loanee Araujo caught United winger Will Ferry with a late challenge. On-field referee Nick Walsh issued a yellow card, while VAR officials Andrew Dallas and Gavin Duncan chose not to intervene or advise an upgrade to a red.

The call left United boss Jim Goodwin perplexed and angered former top-flight referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy, who labelled the incident as “a clear a red as you will see”. On Sky Sports’ ‘Scottish Football VAR Review’, the governing body has now released the audio from the incident, revealing Dallas and Duncan were satisfied that Walsh’s original decision was appropriate.

Collum has since clarified that the challenge was not considered sufficiently dangerous because Araujo’s boot made contact with the top of Ferry’s foot.

Speaking on the programme, he said: “There is enough here to say that the tackle is reckless rather than endangering the safety (of an opponent) or serious foul play. You could argue he (Araujo) enters the challenge in a dangerous way but the arrival point of contact is clearly on the boot.

“I think the VAR footage really helps us analyse this. If you watch that normal footage, you are probably leaning more towards a red card because the perception is the studs make contact with the shin, and they don’t.

“It is very close and if they did, it’s a red card for us. The point of contact saves the player. That’s why when we spoke to them in pre-season, we told them to be careful and take responsibility when you enter tackles.

“It is high-end reckless for us and a yellow card is correct. It’s reckless simply because of the contact on the top of the boot.

“But we need to be careful as a slight bit of difference there and we have a different scenario and a different outcome.”