CHRIS SUTTON dismissed Hearts’ penalty claims. James McFadden said it wasn’t a spot-kick and Sky Sports didn’t even ASK Kris Boyd.
But the Scottish FA‘s Key Match Incidents panel HAS ruled on last Sunday’s clash between Jambo James Wilson and Rangers defender Clinton Nsiala.
It wasn’t awarded and Rangers scored 40 seconds later[/caption]
And the independent assessors say the officials at Tynecastle got it WRONG.
The home crowd yelled for a penalty when their young forward tumbled as both he and the Gers defender marking him raced to meet a clipped cross into the box.
Nsiala definitely made contact – of that there was no doubt.
But not enough for John Beaton to take action.
And none it seemed for VAR officials Steven McLean and Graeme Leslie to intervene.
They could have sent the ref to the screen for a second look.
Instead play continued and Rangers countered quickly and SCORED within 40 seconds of the perceived injustice.
Vaclav Cerny‘s goal could have been called back but got the green-light – much to the home side’s anger.
Pundits were unanimous afterwards and didn’t believe there was enough to merit a spot-kick.
They backed the referees’ team.
But the SFA KMI panel say they all got it wrong and Hearts deserved a penalty – although they were split.
Their assessment read: “The panel discussed this decision at length with the majority (3:2) deeming the onfield decision incorrect.
“The majority (3:2) believed that VAR should have intervened and recommended an OFR for a possible penalty kick.”
The group is formed of three independent panel members with established careers within Scottish football – such as coaches, former players and members of the Scottish football media – plus a rep from the league and from the SFA.
But pundits post-match all agreed it wasn’t enough for a penalty.
Speaking on Sky Sports Chris Sutton said: “There has to be sufficient contact for Wilson to hit the deck and I think he tries to buy that one. That’s not a penalty if that’s what you’re asking.”
James McFadden added: “Not for me, no.”
Host Eilidh Barbour didn’t even bother asking ex-Gers hero Kris Boyd.
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But Wilson pleaded his innocence and denied playing for the penalty.
He said: “No, I haven’t. I haven’t tried that.
“I’ve legit been knocked off my balance. It’s annoying, but that’s football You’re going to get decisions to go against you and you have to try and bounce back.”
He added: “I feel the shove on my back. It’s put me off balance and got me going to ground.
“I definitely feel the shove on my back. I can’t tell you how much it looks like a penalty, but it felt like a penalty.”
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