Five Hibs vs Hearts referee and VAR decisions that dictated Edinburgh derby: 'Madness' sets scene for chaos

Hibs and Hearts came to blows on Sunday afternoon - with referee Don Robertson kept busy throughout the afternoon.

Warren O’Hora’s own goal and a late Blair Spittal strike sealed a late 2-1 win for the Jambos to send them three points clear at the top of the Premiership. It was a game hugely impacted by sending offs, as after Martin Boyle’s Hibs opener, Raphael Sallinger and Felix Passlack were sent off either side of half-time.

VAR was needed throughout and yellow cards were not in short supply. Here are five incidents that helped dictate the flow and result of the latest Edinburgh derby.

Raphael Sallinger red card

An on-field review was called for as the goalkeeper looked to have, in real time, handled the ball outside the box. That much was clear but it then came down to DOGSO (denial of a goalscoring opportunity) and whether or not Hearts forward Pierre Landry Kabore was going to get to the ball ahead of Hibs’ Rocky Bushiri.

Robertson decided he’d seen enough to justify the red card and there was little complaints. it happened so early in the game and left Hibs on the backfoot, with the officiating team not left with many places to to go on this. The Ref’s View, a podcast ran by ex-referees Steve Conroy and Des Roache, tweeted via X: “It’s a red card, absolute madness to catch the ball there. However, we are surprised that it is being ruled as DOGSO.”

Warren O’Hora booking

What Hibs didn’t need was a second man sent or any other players walking a tightrope. That’s exactly what happened when their Irish centre-back was booked for a shirt pull on Kabore but the verdict was mixed. Ex Hibs forward Stuart Lovell said on Sky Sports commentary: “It’s a clear foul and a shirt pull. The referee has obviously seen that as a promising attacking move. Probably the right call.”

Livingston centre-back and Hearts hero Ryan McGowan meanwhile argued: “With the defender’s union, I think it’s a little bit harsh. You can see why he’s given the yellow but I think it’s a little unnecessary.”

Felix Passlack’s first booking

The first of the Hibs right-back’s two yellows. Stephen Kinglsey went into a challenge on Martin Boyle and appeared adamant there had been no contact. Passlack came in for afters as tensions flared between the players and both players ended up in the book. For the Hibs player, he perhaps got caught up in the moment, when he didn’t really have to.

Lovell said: “Kingsley is adamant there is no contact, he’s absolutely furious, that’s why he reacted so much and Passlack came in for some afters. Before you know it, it’s handbags at dawn.”

Felix Passlack’s second booking

Again, Robertson not really given many avenues with this. Beni Baningime is in possession for Hearts and Passlack dives in and catches him while in transit. He goes down and it’s a clear yellow. Poor decision making while already on a fine line as Lovell said ‘it’s an extraordinary decision not so much by the referee but the player who knows he’s on a yellow card.’ McGowan added: “No complaints at all, he’s stretching for the ball, and it’s high.”

Joe Newell vs Marc Leonard VAR check

A messy situation to unpack in the dying embers of the game when Hearts victory was all but sealed. VAR checked out a late skirmish as all hell broke loose between the players. No fewer than four bookings were dished out by Robertson as anyone with over 3.5 cards on their coupon came up trumps in one go. The check went on as it looked to have stemmed from Joe Newell and Marc Leonard tempers flaring near the corner flag, Lawrence Shankland and Jordan Obita going at it for good measure. Eventually nothing given and a quartet of bookings for Newell, Leonard, Shankland and Rocky Bushiri sufficed.