Kelechi Iheanacho: It's shocking — Ex-England international slams referee for canceling Super Eagles striker's goal

Former England international striker Chris Sutton decried the VAR-led decision to cancel Kelechi Iheanacho's goal against Braga, agreeing with the Nigerian that it was a major flaw in officiating. 

Sutton, 52, who played for Chelsea for one season during his playing career, is now a football pundit. In his column for the Daily Record, he aired his grievances about the decision. 

“The disallowed goal was shocking. It might be the worst VAR decision I’ve ever seen, and Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal should have stood,” he wrote. 

“Would it have changed the game? Quite possibly. Celtic were on top at that stage, and going level would have built on the momentum, and they could have gone on to win the game.

“Either way, there’s just a chronic lack of creativity. Sebastian Tounekti has shown promise and is prepared to take on his man.

“It’s still about the link-up with the rest, and that is going to take time. Iheanacho has come in and done okay, but he’s still clearly short of fitness.”

As Pulse Sports reported, Iheanacho found the back of the net in the UEL game against Braga, knocking a favourable deflection into his path with his head before finishing into a vacated goal. 

However, upon VAR review, Romanian referee Radu Petrescu chopped off the goal. His reason? That Iheanacho had handled the ball just before scoring.

That does not seem to be the case from several highlight angles, however. Although Iheanacho's left hand was in touching distance from the ball during its elevation, he appeared to have successfully gotten it out of the way, allowing it to come into contact with his head. 

Radu did not perceive it similarly and ruled out the goal. Celtic never recovered, conceding once more to lose 2-0. With only one point from a possible six, they currently sit in 28th place in the Europa League log, far from the qualification places.