John Souttar of Rangers during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Rangers FC and Fotbal Club FCSB at Ibrox Stadium on Oc…Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Verdict on 3 Aberdeen vs Rangers decisions including controversial John Souttar ‘handball’ for penalty
It was always going to be a fixture that brought flashpoints at Pittodrie last night.
Rangers heading to Aberdeen is always a powderkeg anyway given the rivalry between the sides and the reception usually afforded by the locals.
With what was at stake in terms of trying to stay in touch with them in the table, that certainly added to it.
John Beaton was the man in the middle and he had plenty to deal with on the night.
There was a controversial penalty awarded against John Souttar, among other big calls, and pundits have been having their say on them all.
READ MORE: Rangers star who exemplifies ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ form as Philippe Clement interview picked apart
Leon Balogun of Rangers during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Rangers FC and Fotbal Club FCSB at Ibrox Stadium on Oc…
Leon Balogun challenge on Ester Sokler
There was an early flashpoint when Leon Balogun took the risk and went in for an all-or-nothing tackle just outside the box on Ester Sokler, who otherwise would have been able to charge through on goal.
Aberdeen claimed for a foul and the Nigerian centre-back would have been at risk of a sending off for denying a clear goalscoring opportuntiy.
Bure referee John Beaton indicated there was contact on the ball before the slight follow through on the player, and replays indicated he was correct.
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Billy Dodds told BBC Sportsound: “I tell you just by his body language, John Beaton wasn’t sure. He had a look and thought ‘oh no I don’t want to call this.”
James McFadden said on Sky Sports: “He does get a little nick on the ball. He takes Sokler out and it’s one you have to be absolutely sure you’re going to get the ball.”
Aberdeen penalty for John Souttar handball
The Dons could have gone into a 2-0 lead during the first half when they were awarded a penalty for a John Souttar handball.
But Jamie McGrath’s tame effort was quite easy for Jack Butland to save.
The award of the spot kick itself has gone under the spotlight with a feeling that a deflection off Tom Lawrence first made it impossible for the defender to get his arm out the way.
But Kris Boyd said on Sky: “It’s a penalty for me. When it’s travelling so far; I know Souttar has gone to head it but it has hit his hand. Whether it goes in it’s a different matter but it has hit his hand so a penalty needs to be give.”
Bobby Madden said: “As much as UEFA/FIFA have made progress in recent times to tidy up handball interpretation, the debate continues. Every country has their own take, The English Premier league stated in their pre season guidance that “a deflection is taken into account if the ball comes off the same player or their teammate just prior to the ball striking the arm.
“In such situations the rules regarding a “justifiable” position of the arm are greatly relaxed. So you need to ask in the first instance: does the defender make themselves unnaturally bigger?
“Then, is the defender’s arm position a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation? Finally, the ball strikes the first defender on the arm, which wasn’t punishable as it’s in a natural position. So, if we are aligned with England, does the deflection cause the ball to strike the next defender’s arm? Good luck trying to work that out.”
Ross McCausland disallowed goal
Rangers eventually did equalise but thought they had done so earlier through Ross McCausland.
Cyriel Dessers was found to be offside in the build-up and Philippe Clement bemoaned the ruling coming because of the striker’s ‘toenail’.
But McFadden said: “It’s pretty clear that one. I think McCausland may have been offside also.”
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