Derek McInnes has revealed the SFA’s head of refereeing Willie Collum delivered an apology to the Kilmarnock boss via phone call.
It centres around Hearts’ opening goal against Killie at Tynecastle as the Jambos went on to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Premiership.
In the build-up, Hearts stopper Craig Gordon kicked the ball up field towards striker Elton Kabangu, who was stood in an offside position.
He then appeared to knock Killie defender Joe Wright off balance before the ball arrived at James Wilson, who was instrumental in setting up the eventual goal for Kabangu.
Derek McInnes reveals Collum apology after Hearts beat Kilmarnock
McInnes was fuming that VAR Andrew Dallas failed to check whether Kabangu was offside or not, which meant the goal was allowed to stand by on-field referee John Beaton.
Ex-Premier League whistler Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports there was no Hearts offside and the goal was awarded correctly.
The Kilmarnock manager has now confirmed to the press ahead of his side’s weekend clash against Dundee United that Collum apologised for the incorrect call.
But McInnes remains baffled as to why there was zero VAR intervention on the day.
He said: “I spoke to the head of the referees on Monday, Willie, and got an apology for the first goal that was given against us. It should have been given for offside. It’s good that there’s an honesty and admission of that.
“But it’s not good enough because it’s not as if it was subjective. We saw refereeing decisions at the weekend where it has still been subjective and it comes on the referee.
“But the fact that VAR doesn’t get involved in this case? Those are protocols and procedures that should be, by this time, a prerequisite, a fundamental.
“That the attacking phase of play should be checked properly, as it should be for every goal. I can’t for the life of me understand how they’ve not given offside there. I’ve spoken to Willie and that’s been confirmed. It is so disappointing.
“It’s not up to Willie to apologise because it’s not his call. But my version of events was how he saw it as well. We had a case for that goal to be disallowed.”
Kilmarnock have history with VAR apologies
This isn’t the first time McInnes has received an apology from the SFA for an error involving VAR.
In September 2023, referee Kevin Clancy confessed to McInnes that he made a ‘huge mistake’ during Kilmarnock’s 1-0 home loss to Ross County.
Stuart Findlay thought he had scored to equalise for Killie but Clancy had blew his whistle for a penalty just before the ball hit the back of the net.
Kilmarnock ended up missing the penalty and it left McInnes seething.
Six months earlier, McInnes was left ‘fed up’ with referee apologies after Kilmarnock were denied a clear penalty for an Andrew Considine handball against St Johnstone.
McInnes told the BBC after that game: “We were so harshly treated at the weekend and it’s not the first time.
“A lot of the referees – the younger group coming through – are getting so used to refereeing the game with VAR. They need to get back to being a good referee, making decisions there and then.
“It’s time that the refereeing department really up their game and start justifying why there was this demand and need for VAR.”