BREAKING:A former Premier League referee has weighed in on a handball penalty decision in the Rangers match.

The fallout from the latest Old Firm showdown has taken another dramatic twist after former top-flight referee Mark Clattenburg weighed in on the hugely debated handball decision involving Rangers F.C..
With tensions already sky-high between Rangers and Celtic F.C., the late penalty award sparked fierce reaction inside Ibrox and across social media. But now, Clattenburg — a former Premier League and FIFA official — has delivered his verdict, and it may not be what Rangers supporters wanted to hear.
🧑‍⚖️ “By the Law, It’s a Penalty”
The incident saw the ball strike a Rangers defender’s arm inside the box, prompting a VAR review before the referee pointed to the spot. The decision allowed Celtic to convert from 12 yards and dramatically alter the momentum of the contest.
According to Clattenburg, the officials were correct.
He explained that under the current interpretation of the handball law, if a player’s arm blocks a shot that is goal-bound or creates an unnatural barrier, a penalty must be awarded — even if there is no deliberate intent. However, because there was no clear denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in a deliberate sense, the disciplinary action stopped short of a red card.
In short: accidental or not, the laws left the referee with little choice.
🔥 Fans Divided as Debate Rages
Despite the explanation, the controversy shows no sign of cooling. Rangers fans argue the defender had no time to react, while Celtic supporters insist the arm position justified the call.
Social media exploded within minutes of the final whistle, with replays dissected frame-by-frame and pundits offering contrasting interpretations. For many, it once again highlights how subjective and complex modern handball rulings have become — especially with VAR now playing such a decisive role.