"Everyone saw it", "Shocking decision"; Furious Fran Alonso calls out ref after Celtic defeat

By John McGinley

March 13, 2022

Celtic FC Women manager Fran Alonso was not a happy man after watching his luckless team fall to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Glasgow City this afternoon.

In fact, he is furious in a video uploaded by the official women’s team account tonight.

Alonso has taken a particular issue with a clear foul on Caitlin Hayes in the build-up to City’s opening goal, which you can see on the BBC Alba Twitter feed or embedded below.

Alonso was proud of his team for protecting stand-in goalkeeper Kelly Clark, who was forced to wear the gloves after an injury to Anna Vincenti early in the game, as we discussed earlier.

After the match though, he let rip at referee Iain Snedden, telling Celtic TV: “I thought we did well. I don’t remember any touch from them in our half. We had the game under control. It was a very, very clear free-kick. I don’t know for what reason [it wasn’t given]. Everyone saw it. They scored from it, it was another challenge.

“We kept fighting, a little mistake in the second goal, I need to look at it again.

“He allowed five minutes injury time in the first half. In the second half, with all the changes and two injuries, there were three minutes. I don’t understand. I tried to get an explanation but I didn’t get it.

“We have to be proud. No keeper, a centre-back in goal. We kept fighting. They were asking for the time and wanted the game to finish as we pushed for an equaliser. I cannot fault the players because I thought they gave their all.

“We needed to protect Kelly and we did that. She didn’t have to make a save.

“Two moments – the injury is unlucky, the other is a shocking decision which I think changed the game.”

You can understand why Alonso is upset. Today was a massive fixture that Celtic needed to win to keep alive European qualification hopes.

Not only did he have to endure yet more goalkeeping injury problems, but poor officiating has also cost his side.

We’re used to that in Scottish football of course, but it’s even more frustrating when a Celtic side is on the receiving end.

Hopefully, Alonso can regroup his team, get a goalkeeper fit and push on in the closing stages of the season. There’s a Scottish Cup still to play for.

In other news, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou puts trust in “smart performer” Nir Bitton.