The Celtic win over Hibs has certainly ruffled some feathers this week.
As Celtic stand on the cusp of regaining the top of the Scottish Premiership table, it seems Hearts and Rangers fans are taking a huge interest in what happens in the Bhoys’ games.
Celtic’s win over Hibs was fraught with refereeing controversies that had fans of other clubs claiming that Hoops defender Colby Donovan should have seen red at Easter Road.
Those very same fans were clamouring for Auston Trusty to be red carded in Celtic’s win over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup.
However, when it comes to Hibs’ Jamie McGrath’s real kick to Arne Engels’ head, the silence from those vocal fans is deafening.
So should McGrath have been sent off for the challenge on the Celtic midfielder? We asked former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg for his thoughts.
Hibs’ Jamie McGrath’s challenge didn’t ‘meet the criteria’ on Arne Engels for a red card
The Celtic result has certainly kept Clattenburg busy as he explains all the decisions given at Easter Road, and here, the ex-Premier League referee explains why the decision not to send McGrath off was the correct one.
Clattenburg told 67 Hail Hail, “Jamie McGrath catches Arne Engels with a high foot while trying to clear the ball, and to stop an Engels header from going into the goal.
“Yes the foot was high and there is contact on Engels’ head but I would have been very surprised if a red card was issued.
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“McGrath is trying to clear the ball and has no intention of injuring his opponent and Engels is brave and does lower his head to win the ball.
“The yellow card for reckless play was about right and the challenge lacked malice and speed to meet the criteria of a red card.”
The IFAB rule on serious foul play Celtic fans will be interested in
Many Celtic fans believe that McGrath should have been sent off for serious foul play, but how does IFAB define that?
According to IFAB rule 12.4 on disciplinary action, serious foul play is defined as, “A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
The rule seems pretty clear, intent doesn’t come into it. The punishment, however, appears to be not as clear.
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