Rangers penalty controversy takes new twist as IFAB ruling emerges

The Rangers penalty controversy during the recent derby against Celtic at Parkhead has taken a new twist after an IFAB ruling on the scenario has emerged.

An incident in the first half was highlighted as Willie Collum did not feel that referee Nick Walsh had made a clear and obvious error by failing to award the Ibrox side a penalty following a handball by Hoops defender Alistair Johnston.

Collum believed that Walsh had been correct just to give a goal kick because he felt the Celtic player’s hand was in a natural position when it made contact with the ball after watching a replay back at Clydesdale House.

Television footage later showed that Rangers forward Abdallah Sima had been in an offside position when John Lundstram played the ball in to him.

But Walsh did not indicate that was the reason why the penalty was disallowed at the time and the goal kick was then taken by Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.

And now a ruling has emerged which appears to suggest that Sima would not have been offside in this particular scenario.

The IFAB rules outline that for the scenario of when attacking player in an offside position (Team A) runs towards the ball but does not play the ball or prevent the opponent (Team B) from playing or being able to play the ball, the referees decision should be that : “It is not an offside offence so the referee allows play to continue. The attacking player is only penalised if he/she plays the ball or interferes with an opponent.

ibrox boss Philippe Clement made his feelings clear at full time. Speaking to BBC, he said: “I’m also really curious why this handball wasn’t given because it’s a really decisive moment in the game to come back to 1-1. I’m really curious about that.

“It’s a clear handball so it’s a penalty and I think everybody who sees that clear handball will say it’s a penalty.”

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