Alex Rae has made a U-turn on air on the decision to award Celtic a penalty against Motherwell.
The decision was a crucial moment in the dying embers of this game, with the title on the verge of slipping to a significant distance from Celtic’s grasp.
However, VAR’s decision to intervene and award a penalty for a handball from Sam Nicholson allowed Kelechi Iheanacho to set up a title decider at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Many of a Hearts persuasion are incensed at the decision, even using it to claim that there are other interests at play. Ex-Rangers man Rae, however, wasn’t surprised.
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Alex Rae on Celtic penalty: it clearly hits Sam Nicholson’s hand
He had initially said whilst watching the game with the panel of Clyde Superscorebard: “I’d be very surprised if this was given.”
Then, when John Beaton was sent to the monitor, he made a surprise U-turn.
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He said: “Having seen that again with the slow-mo there, you can clearly see that it hits his hand, and it’s up above his head.
Rae is certainly in the minority of non-Celtic favouring pundits to speak in favour of the decision, with many unhappy at the call.
Among the disgruntled is Hearts boss Derek McInnes, who blasted the decision as “disgusting” in a hot-headed interview after his side’s win over Falkirk.
Hearts hero Ryan Stevenson also isn’t happy, labelling it a “disgrace” and as “garbage”. Even Gary Lineker has slated it.
However, Chris Sutton has called out high-profile pundits for their hysteria, saying that their pro-Hearts agenda is clouding their judgement.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said that decision was clear-cut, and the result of a combination of handball and an elbowing offence by Nicholson.
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What rules are relevant to Celtic’s penalty call against Motherwell?
The handball was ruled punishable due to “touch[ing] the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. “
As per the rules “A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation.
“By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised.”
Additionally, despite talk of the call being ruled as a “clear and obvious error”, referees are also sent to the monitor in the case of a “serious missed incident” relating to the penalty.
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