Celtic fans have been discussing Sebastian Tounekti’s disallowed goal against Falkirk after an offside decision robbed the Tunisian of his fourth goal of the season.
Celtic beat Falkirk 2-0 to move into second place in the Scottish Premiership ahead of Rangers on goal difference with the Parkhead side scoring more than their rivals.
Sebastian Tounekti thought he had scored when Celtic were two goals up but after Daizen Maeda was ruled offside, the strike was chalked off.
Would Celtic have won that game under Wilfried Nancy?
But it appears that Celtic fans may have spotted an infringement just seconds before the offside decision that sparked discussion of either goal should have been allowed to stand, or Celtic should have had a penalty.
So 67 Hail Hail decided to ask former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg his thoughts on the call.
- READ MORE: Michael Gannon provides more insight into Celtic’s Fares Ghedjemis transfer deal collapsing
Celtic fans spot Falkirk infringement on Daizen Maeda
Celtic were 2-0 up at the time and cruising to a win at Parkhead. However, as every fan knows, the next goal is always important for either team.
If Falkirk score, they are back in the game. If Celtic get their third, then the game is over and the three points are pretty much guaranteed.
Tounekti was sure he had done just that until this happened.
Just prior to the ball hitting the back of the net, Maeda appeared to have been shoved into the path of the strike stopping the goal from happening, but rendering Tounekti’s strike offside.
So should Celtic have been awarded a penalty, or should the goal have stood?
Mark Clattenburg says offside ruling for Celtic goal vs Falkirk ‘correct’
It seems Celtic may have a case for feeling the goal was wrongly disallowed from the footage above. Not according to the ex-FIFA man.
Clattenburg exclusively told 67 Hail Hail, “Sebastián Tounekti’s goal was given offside as the ball hit Daizen Maeda on the goal line who was standing in an offside position in the build up.
“One can argue that he was pushed into an offside position by a defender and is this push enough to award a penalty kick.
“I am not sure this contact is enough to award a penalty so the offside is correct.”
When we further pressed on the push on Maeda, Clattenburg replied, “He is in an offside position after the push, so the only offence that could happen is a penalty for the push.
“You cannot turn around and say we will not give him offside because he was pushed.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
