Philippe Clement was adamant that Rangers ought to have been given a first-half penalty for a handball of their 2-1 Previous Agency loss at Celtic, as he branded some choices made by referee Nick Walsh and the officiating crew as “very unusual”.
VAR took a take a look at a possible handball by Celtic defender Alistair Johnston whereas beneath stress from Abdallah Sima and gave no penalty. It later transpired that Sima was offside within the build-up however a aim kick was nonetheless given by referee Walsh.
Clement additionally had subject with Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo not being despatched off for a late deal with on Conor Goldson whereas already on a reserving, with defender Johnston additionally avoiding a second yellow card regardless of making contact with Sima’s face.
These two choices have been much more vital given Leon Balogun was later despatched off for an expert foul on Daizen Maeda.
“We performed quarter-hour with 10 gamers, and that was the suitable resolution, it is a crimson card. We did not try this motion properly,” Clement informed Sky Sports activities.
“However I’ve different questions additionally about, why not a handball within the first half to get a penalty? It is a clear handball.
“Why not a second yellow card for some tackles after which on the finish of the sport loads of yellow playing cards? Just a few unusual choices in that approach.”
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Bernardo was not given a second yellow for this problem on Goldson
When Clement was informed by Sky Sports activities reporter Luke Shanley that there was an offside within the build-up to the Johnston ‘handball’ incident, the Rangers supervisor responded: “The choice was not made about an offside, the choice of no penalty was made in regards to the handball.
“That was the choice. In order that was an odd resolution for me.”
He later added: “We have been unfortunate with the 2 [Celtic] targets and if we get this penalty, it is a 2-2 with the standard of the sport. It is one other story in notion.”
Lennon: The entire scenario is a farce
Talking on Sky Sports activities punditry responsibility, Neil Lennon described the entire incident as a “farce” and mentioned he understood why Clement was pissed off attributable to not having a full rationalization of the method to not award the penalty.
At half-time, Lennon was adamant that Rangers ought to have been given a spot kick for the Johnston handball – nevertheless it was not till after the interval when the offside resolution was clarified.
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Ought to Rangers have been awarded a penalty simply earlier than half-time when Celtic defender Alistair Johnston appeared to deal with the ball?
“It is a farce, for me. It truly is,” mentioned Lennon. “In the event that they [the VAR team] mentioned it was offside, then tell us.
“I can perceive Clement being actually pissed off by that and never being given a full rationalization. We all know now, or we knew within the second half, nevertheless it’s ridiculous for a sport of this magnitude.
“It is even on the level the place it could not have been given a handball if it was onside. That is one other bag of worms to speak about.
“If it was offside, then it is a free-kick to Celtic. However they gave a aim kick. So once more, it is weird.”
In the meantime, Sky Sports activities’ Kris Boyd shared Lennon’s view in regards to the handball incident – however added that Clement was proper to query why Bernardo was not despatched off for a late lunge on Goldson.
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Chris Sutton and Kris Boyd tease one another in regards to the affect that Kyogo Furuhashi had in Celtic’s 2-1 win in opposition to Rangers
“He is in conjunction with the pitch, we did not know what was occurring, our personal commentary crew did not know what was occurring,” mentioned Boyd in regards to the handball. “It is simply bought to be clear, we wish everybody singing from the identical hymn sheet.
“However he has bought a degree about another tackles. The Bernardo one when he was into Goldson was a yellow card.
“VAR cannot take a look at it as it is not a straight crimson card, nevertheless it was a second yellow that would have led to a crimson card. You must do your job.”
Chatting with Sky Sports activities, Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers admitted that he took Bernardo off shortly after the Goldson deal with as he felt he was about to get despatched off, however Lennon performed down the incident after the sport.
“If you’re on a yellow card, you must be so cautious,” mentioned Lennon. “Whether or not it will have impacted the sport or not, as you are enjoying 10 vs 10, I do not know. However there are some contentious choices as at all times.”