adminEx-refs slam VAR explanation for Ibrox penalty decision
With the score level at 1–1 after Tete Yengi cancelled out Manny Fernandez’s early goal for Rangers, a controversial incident followed when Yengi’s goal-bound strike struck Fernandez’s hand inside the box.
To the disbelief of the Livingston players and staff, no penalty was given, and manager David Martindale was furious after the match.
The BBC Scotland team on Open All Mics were similarly stunned. Commentator Paul Mitchell explained on Sportsound that VAR officials had claimed the ball hit Fernandez’s body before his hand, and therefore no infringement occurred.
However, former referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy strongly disagreed. Posting from their Ref’s View podcast account, they challenged the reasoning:
“Where is the contact with the thigh? It’s a clear and obvious penalty. VAR chose not to award it and it cannot be ignored. There is no justification for John Beaton’s interpretation of this.”
After the game, Martindale expressed his frustration:
“I don’t know where to go with the handball decision. It hits his arm, it’s on target, it could be a goal.
I’d like Willie Collum to phone me and explain it. It’s not his fault, but the technology isn’t being used properly if that’s not a penalty.”
He added that the decision would likely have gone against Livingston if the same incident occurred at their home ground:
“I know if that happens at Livingston and it’s against us, it’s a penalty. Nobody will change my mind on that.”
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