Rangers manager Philippe Clement was incensed come full-time in the Scottish Premiership draw with Hibs over the award of a second-half penalty.
Philippe Clement visited John Beaton’s office after the match to demand answers as to why Ianis Hagi was penalised in the second half of the match at Easter Road.
Beaton pointed to the spot after Hagi was adjudged to have fouled Josh Campbell as they both jostled for position inside the Ibrox club’s penalty area.
With the score at 2-1 to Rangers, Clement reckons the penalty award was a ‘game-decisive’ decision and gave Hibs hope of coming back into the eventual 3-3 draw in Edinburgh.
Now, Sky Sports have been analysing the decision and it’s fair to say the bulk of the Ref Watch panel have been left perplexed by the call.
Sky Sports on Rangers v Hibs penalty call
Ex-Premier League whistler Dermot Gallagher started by explaining the justification for John Beaton giving the decision and for VAR refusing to get involved.
Sky Sports host Rob Wotton then raised his doubts about the call, as did ex-professionals Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith.
It comes only a week on from the Sky Sports panel questioning the handball in the build up to Motherwell’s opening goal against Rangers at Fir Park.
Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch, the quartet said:
Dermot Gallagher: “The referee thinks he’s clumsy. He thinks he doesn’t get the ball. And again I think this goes all the way back to the on field decision.
“You want referees to be in power to make decisions, the referee has made that decision. I don’t think VAR is going to overturn it.”
Rob Wotton: “You talk about shoulder to shoulder, not a penalty. In fact if anything Hagi is in front of him slightly, so I am kind of puzzled.”
DG: “That’s how I was brought up when I was playing. That’s what I got told. If you’re side by side with somebody, because I’m small somebody can bang me off the ball. I think that’s accepted.
“As you say, I was taught get across the defender. The defender tries to get across him there but the referee thinks it’s clumsy and gives a penalty.
“I think when you see that, the on-field decision is always going to stand. VAR is not going to intervene because he’s of the opinion it’s tangled legs caused by the Rangers player.”
Stephen Warnock: “I don’t understand that decision whatsoever. I just think, how you can give that, and how even communications of what you see from the referee to the VAR and the VAR back.
”I think you just go to the screen, look at it again. If he stands by his decision you’ve got a problem, because he doesn’t know the game.
“If he goes to the screen and he’s got the VAR saying you’ve made a mistake, then you get the right decision. How that’s given as a penalty, I’ll never know.”
Sue Smith: “Completely agree, I don’t think it’s a penalty at all for all the reasons that you’ve just said there. It’s the other way around if anything.”
Hibs manager refutes Philippe Clement claims
Whilst Rangers manager Philippe Clement was left incensed at the decision come full time at Easter Road, Hibs boss David Gray completely disagreed.
The former Easter Road stopper was speaking to Sky Sports at full-time and claims that John Beaton got the decision right on the pitch and VAR Kevin Clancy was right not to intervene.
“I think the defender’s wrong side,” said Gray. “(Campbell) gets to the ball and gets in front of him (Hagi).
”If you’re the wrong side, you always run the risk.
“So it’s a clear penalty for me. Pretty simple from my point of view.”
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