Scott McTominay: SFA writes to UEFA over VAR decision to rule out goal in Spain defeat

The Scottish FA is writing to UEFA for clarification on Scott McTominay’s disallowed goal in Thursday night’s 2-0 defeat in Spain.

The Manchester United midfielder looked to have given Scotland the lead in the second half, but following a VAR check his free-kick was ruled out by Dutch referee Serdar Gözübüyük.

It appears the goal was initially disallowed for a foul by Jack Hendry on goalkeeper Unai Simon, but was later chalked up to offside – with the Scottish defender deemed to be interfering with play and impacting the ability of Simon to stop the shooting.

Sky Sports News understands that the SFA is seeking clarification on the decision-making process and timeline of seemingly contradictory events.

However, a UEFA source confirmed to Sky Sports News On Friday, McTominay’s strike was flagged for offside against Hendry by referee Gözübüyük.

Spain won Euro 2024 qualifying in Seville 2-0, but Scotland – who remain top of Group A – could still qualify for next year’s tournament in Germany if the Spaniards avoid the defeat in Norway on Sunday.

Failing that, Scotland travel to Georgia and then host Norway next month as they look to secure a place at back-to-back European Championships under Steve Clarke.

“At the time we thought it was a goal,” Clarke said when asked about the incident. “You know, when you tell the referee to look at it, he’ll probably write it down. They’ve made the decision, there’s no point in me talking about it.

“I think there was a bit of confusion at that point, whether it was because of offside or a foul on the goalkeeper.

“If you take those two together, Jack Hendry was slightly offside and when he went towards the goalkeeper they interpreted that as being involved in the play, but I’ll tell you now he didn’t. There’s no way in the world the warden is going to save that, no matter where Jack Hendry was.

“You move on. It’s a VAR decision that goes against you. When we concede it makes things more difficult and the second goal gives shade to Spain, I don’t think that she deserves it.”

McGinn: Circumstances made victory impossible

During the match, Clarke had urged his players to remain calm amid the controversy surrounding McTominay’s disallowed goal, although at the time John McGinn did not understand why it was not awarded.

Talk to ViaplayVice-captain McGinn said: “He changed it in the game, which was frustrating. It shows it’s not clear and obvious.

“At that moment, Jack makes the decision to cross over to the other side. Will he save him? No chance, absolutely no chance.

“At first he says it’s a foul, then he changes it to offside when he realizes it’s not a foul.

“It’s a hammer blow. That qualifies us, that goal. They have to score two. I feel for the great Scott (McTominay), but sometimes these things work out for you and tonight it never did.

“We can’t be too disappointed. We wanted to qualify tonight and we were able to. We don’t want other teams to do it, we want to do it ourselves.

“The big moments have worked against us. There is no doubt that we can still improve, but we have made changes.

“We knew a point would get us there, and it’s really tough to take with a big blow losing Robbo (Andy Robertson) so early.

“Then thinking we were ahead, going against us, we regrouped but they scored the first game. Maybe we can defend that better, but it’s tough to take.

“We have competed for long periods, it is difficult to win here but in the circumstances it was almost impossible.

“Everyone watching this game from a Scotland perspective, on the pitch, in the stands, in the dugout, felt like we weren’t going to make a decision.

“50-50 balls, going into fair challenges and not getting them, it was extremely difficult to get anything against a world-class team.

“It takes a perfect performance to win here, and that will never happen.”