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Controversy Erupts Over Penalty Decision in League Cup Final
Willie Collum, the head of refereeing for the Scottish FA, has publicly acknowledged that Rangers were denied a deserved penalty during their recent League Cup final against Celtic. The incident in question occurred in the first half of extra-time when Celtic’s Liam Scales was involved in a foul against Rangers’ Vaclav Cerny.
Referee John Beaton ruled that the foul took place just outside the penalty box, a decision that was upheld by VAR officials Alan Muir and Frank Connor. At the time, the score was tied at 3-3, before Rangers ultimately fell short in the subsequent penalty shootout.
Speaking on the SFA’s VAR Review Show, Collum elaborated on the incident, stating, “The holding of Cerny’s shirt begins outside the penalty area and then it continues on the line and arguably beyond the line and fully into the penalty area. Regardless, the fact it’s on the line should be considered as a penalty kick.” His remarks highlighted a significant debate about the interpretation of foul play near the penalty area.
Rangers Demand Clarification
The day following the match, Rangers’ CEO Patrick Stewart reached out to the Scottish FA seeking clarification on why the penalty was not awarded. The lack of intervention from VAR officials has been met with criticism, with Rangers’ manager Philippe Clement describing the events as “really weird.”
Analyzing the Impact
The incident underscores ongoing discussions around the effectiveness and reliability of VAR in high-stakes matches. As technology becomes a central part of officiating, fans and clubs alike are watching closely how decisions are made, particularly in critical moments like this.
As the football community continues to digest the implications of this controversial decision, the upcoming derby on January 2 will be watched with heightened anticipation, especially in light of the match’s recent tensions.
This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
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