On 28 September, Lennon Miller’s second goal for Motherwell against St Mirren was reviewed for a possible handball but stood and Collum said the VAR officials were “unable to fine the evidence to be categorical” about a foul.

Later in the same game, Well’s Dan Casey handled the ball on the goal-line to deny Killian Phillips a goal and was shown a straight red. Mark O’Hara had the resulting penalty saved.

“In our opinion, this is the correct call,” said Collum. “It’s a very good piece of teamwork between the assistant referee and the referee. There’s nothing there for the VAR to think that the referee has made an error there in terms of showing a red card.”

The following day, there was a similar incident at Ibrox where Rangers defender John Souttar was penalised for handball in the box following a VAR review. Mykola Kuharevich’s spot-kick for Hibernian was saved and the hosts maintained their 1-0 lead until full-time.

“It’s the correct decision for us,” Collum said of the Souttar incident.

“We would not support a red card, this is not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

“This is certainly a punishable handball. There’s every opportunity that the goalkeeper can save this shot. The fact that no card was shown could be debated.

“If the referee had deemed John Souttar’s actions here as deliberate, he probably would’ve received a yellow card. Because the referee and the VAR team don’t deem this as a deliberate handball, there’s no need for a yellow card.”

The position of goalkeeper Jack Butland’s feet in relation to the goal line were also discussed and Collum was “content” there was no need for a re-take.

Collum also re-iterated that there had been an error in the last Scottish Premiership fixture before the split, Rangers’ 2-0 win over St Johnstone on 6 October.

It was announced earlier this week by the SFA’s key match incident review panel that St Johnstone defender Aaron Essel should have been penalised for a shirt pull on Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers.

“This is a wrong decision,” added Collum. “We expect a penalty kick here and we expect the referee to be brought to the monitor to review the decision.”

JAKE PAUL has launched a new business venture ahead of his controversial clash with Mike Tyson.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer is gearing up to face the former undisputed heavyweight champion in a shock Texas tussle next month.

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But the 27-year-old hasn’t turned off his entrepreneurial brain during fight camp, inking a partnership with beloved American restaurant Dog Haus to help with their “overall strategic vision of the brand.”

During his recent trip to Dog Haus’s Arlington store, Paul said: “I’m all in.

“I’ve been a fan of Dog Haus for years, and I’m fired up to push the limits and help take this amazing brand to a whole new level.

“I’m jumping in their corner and excited to introduce their food and experience to everyone across the country!”

Dog Haus CEO Michael Montagano is delighted to have The Problem Child on board.

He said: ‘“When a once-in-a-generation talent reaches out and says he wants to work with you, you take notice!”

“Our relationship with Jake really has very little to do with his celebrity.

“It’s about his dynamic personality, relentless drive and the fact that he has revolutionized the way we communicate, all of which align perfectly with our brand’s ethos.

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“So this is just the beginning.

“We’re excited to partner with Jake and Nakisa [Bidarian], proven game-changers and promotional geniuses, in taking Dog Haus to an unprecedented level.”

Paul has faced intense criticism for fighting Tyson due to the 31-YEAR age difference between them.

Many believe Tyson, 58, only has a short window in the eight-round affair to pull off a shock upset.

But Paul has warned the fan favourite about being overly aggressive in the early goings of the Dallas dust-up.

He told The Daily Mail: “I mean, it’s just being alert and knowing what to do in that situation.

“I could definitely see him trying to [go for an early KO], but he’ll find out very quickly that I also have a ton of power.

“So doing that with a guy like me isn’t always the smartest thing to do, because I’ll catch one of his shots then counter.”

FORMER Arsenal star Francis Coquelin could be set for a surprise return to England with Leeds United.

The French defensive midfielder, 33, has been unemployed since Spanish club Villarreal released him in June.

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However, Sun Sport understands that Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds are weighing-up whether to offer the two-time FA Cup and 2021 Europa League winner a short-term deal at Elland Road.

Boss Daniel Farke has lost midfield duo Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to long-term knee injuries and wants back-up for Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell.

Coquelin is open to a move to Leeds but he faces competition for a contract from a number of other free agents.

Ex-West Ham United man Cheikhou Kouyate has been training with Leeds during the international break.

The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest in the summer.

But the delay in snapping up the experienced Senegal man suggests that Farke is still looking elsewhere.

And we understand that has led to him inviting Coquelin to work with his squad at Thorp Arch along with other potential free agents.

Farke remained tight-lipped when pressed for an update, although he did confirm he was looking at several potential signings.

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Speaking at the pre-match press conference before Friday’s clash with Sheffield United, he said: “I never confirm any names and won’t speak about players who aren’t under contract.

“It would not be professional. I just speak about our players. I can speak in general about the situation.

“It’s a pretty special and unique situation, we had a small group anyway before the injuries to Ethan and Ilia.

“We’ve decided to have a deeper look into the free agent market. We had some guests in the last days here at Thorp Arch to have a deeper look on it.”

On the ideal player he hopes to snap up, Farke added: “He would come in to be a back-up solution, to bring his experience and teach and educate our young players. He should come in with the attitude to improve them.

“If a young player is struggling with the pressure with playing for a club like Leeds United, to not crack, we need a player who has experience and this mentality. This is what we’re searching for.

“It’s not easy but we have a few ideas and I’m carefully optimistic that we’ll have the chance to bring a good solution in the coming days or coming two weeks.”

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Conor McGregor came to the defense of his former foe, Max Holloway, ahead of UFC 308.

Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) challenges featherweight champion Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the Oct. 26 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi (ESPN+ pay-per-view). Just this week, Holloway was mocked by Topuria for losing to McGregor by unanimous decision in 2013.

“He got beat by Conor McGregor. When you get beat by Conor McGregor, shut the f*ck up,” Topuria said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “F*ck, bro, forget about it. When Conor McGregor beats you, forget about it.”

After losing to McGregor, Holloway would go on a 13-fight winning streak, including back-to-back finishes of Jose Aldo in title fights. McGregor, who recently has been trading barbs with Topuria, heaped praise on Holloway’s success.

“It’s not a bad shout hahaha but Holloway came back and earned it majorly. Two time FW champion. Attempted double champ. Is current BMF champ. Nah, he the real deal. Always was, always is. Holloway is an always was, always is. 1000% He became way better after losing to me. He actually became an all-time great after losing to me. This is a stellar fight folks! He took moves as well with him. He became ambidextrous after fighting me. He can fight in both stances now as good as each other. He will be very hard to catch for the little man. Don’t walk into a crushing blow bro. He is strong too. And very experienced! 100%! BIG FIGHT FEEL FOR ME HERE, FOLKS! Oh yes Let’s go! #yawelcome #ufcabudhabi.”

Ilia Topuria traded more words with “fake fighter” Conor McGregor ahead of his #UFC308 title defense vs. Max Holloway. pic.twitter.com/HssJgKyMEu

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 16, 2024

McGregor also took the opportunity to take shots at Topuria, coining a new nickname for him.

“Little puppy paws he has. Check the little puppy paws on him. He is Spanish is he? Has he a fight nickname, this guy? I now christen him ‘The Puppy.’”

“Georgia does not have bullfighting. His prior nickname is terminated. He is now “The Puppy” Which is a good name, everybody likes puppies .”

Topuria fired back, dubbing McGregor a fake fighter.

“100% Max has improved after fighting you. He must have realized that if he wanted to make a living from this, he couldn’t be so bad as to lose to someone like you. Nowadays, he beats you easily. Dustin knocked you out in the rematches, Nate beat you two times, Khabib humiliated you, and Floyd gave you a master class in boxing at 50 years old. Take a seat kid. you’re a fake fighter.”

100% Max has improved after fighting you. He must have realized that if he wanted to make a living from this, he couldn’t be so bad as to lose to someone like you. Nowadays, he beats you easily. Dustin knocked you out in the rematches, Nate beat you two times, Khabib humiliated… https://t.co/OpKVqL4gqM

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) October 16, 2024

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.