New Celtic penalty appeal emerges in Old Firm aftermath as ex-ref tells Rangers why VAR anger is futile
Penalty debate has sprung from the Premiership clash between Rangers and Celtic.
Rangers have been clearly told why they had a penalty given against them in the latest Old Firm – as a new Celtic appeal emerges.
VAR debate has emerged in the aftermath of a 2-2 draw between the pair that leaves Hearts six points clear at the top of the Premiership. With Rangers 2-1 up in the dying embers, Daizen Maeda headed the ball at goal from close range and it struck the arm of Dujon Sterling. John Beaton did not give a penalty but VAR intervened to rule a spot kick for the visitors, who dispatched after Reo Hatate eventually bundled home, following his missed effort.
He told GRV Media: “Celtic wanted a penalty when Sebastian Tounekti had his shirt pulled inside the penalty area. I would have been surprised if this was given as a penalty as the shirt pull did not impede his progress and both players were fighting for the ball.
“Celtic were awarded a penalty for a handball from Daizen Maeda’s header which hits Dujon Sterling’s arm on its way to hitting Jack Butland. The ball was going into the goal from an accidental handball, and therefore a penalty must be awarded and a yellow card.
Someone will argue that his arm was away from the body but that is subjective and the ball comes from a short distance but as the ball is going towards the goal, the law is clear from 2024: ‘If a defender commits a handball that prevents a goal, but the handball was accidental or not a deliberate action to stop the ball’, it is a penalty and a yellow card, not a red card.”
Danny Rohl on Celtic penalty vs Rangers
Ibrox head coach Danny Rohl said on the penalty given against his team: “I think VAR, if they make the decision. I think it’s always tough late in such a game to make such a decision. I think there’s a header from, I don’t know how big is the distance, 10 centimetres, or something like this, I think you cannot really react.
“For me, it’s not about this. I think in general last week there was a big foul on us, very late in the game, and there was no consequence. Today there’s a consequence against us. But we should play over 90 minutes a good game, then we have not this problem.
“Finally, it’s a draw. It’s always a little bit lucky for a team to get a late pen. This is normal, I would say it’s the same when we get a pen late in the game. It’s about the next game and we have to move on.”