In the aftermath of Celtic’s 3–1 victory over Motherwell, the Scottish sports media are tying themselves in knots trying to prove Did Daizen Maeda escaped a red card against Motherwell.
Keith Jackson has been vocal in his pain over the decision, but a closer look at arguement and the testimony of former SFA referee Des Roache, obliterates the Daily Record journalists narrative that Daizen Maeda should have been sent of in the Celtic Park win over Motherwell.
The Jackson Celtic narrative vs. the SFA rulebook
The flashpoint occurred when Maeda and Motherwell’s Ibrahim Said became entangled in the second half.
Jackson’s contention, expressed on the Record Sport Hotline, was that Maeda’s use of the elbow and subsequent push was “violent conduct.” However, former SFA referee Des Roache and pundits like Michael Gannon have largely shut this down.
Under the IFAB clarifications, “violent conduct” regarding elbows requires a “traction move” (a deliberate cocking back and striking motion). The footage shows a shoulder challenge where arms were “bouncing about” in a congested area.
Roache noted that while Maeda was “lucky” not to receive a yellow for his reaction, the incident lacked the intensity or intent for a red card. The former SFA referee said, “I wouldn’t be looking for a red card for it. I think he’s very lucky not to escape with a minimum yellow card. I think it was maybe an outstretched arm.
“Then why is he getting involved with [Ibrahim] Said when he’s on the ground and pushing him? It’s not like Maeda, to be honest. I’ve not really seen that side of his game before.
“I think a yellow card for unsporting behaviour and just being stupid, really. I don’t see it being violent. I don’t see it being serious foul play.”
The VAR context over Celtic challenge clamps Jackson
What Jackson’s moonhowling misses is the factual consistency of the day. Earlier in the match, Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo was correctly sent off for hauling Maeda down. That decision was a textbook denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity with no attempt to play the ball, a call supported by Dermot Gallagher on Ref Watch.
By contrast, the Maeda/Said incident was a 50-50 tussle. For Jackson to frame this as a scandal ignores the technical threshold for VAR intervention.
Simply put, the “traction” wasn’t there, and the “violent conduct” label doesn’t stick. While it makes for punchy headlines, the professional consensus is clear: the right calls were made, and the attempt to manufacture a Celtic officiating crisis has been firmly clamped.
Get this kind of Celtic reaction straight to your inbox — free – sign up for our BRAND NEW newsletter before you leave.
Celtic fans are debating this right now in The Jungle 🍀
Opinions are split. Some fans see it one way, others see it very differently.
The conversation is already live in The Jungle — the Born Celtic forum where proper football arguments happen without algorithms deciding who gets heard.