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 upon touching the ball following its viewing of a replay at Clydesdale House.

Later television footage revealed that when John Lundstram played the ball in to Rangers forward Abdallah Sima, he was offside.

However, Walsh did not say that this was the reason Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart took the goal kick after the penalty was initially disallowed.

And now a decision has surfaced that seems to indicate Sima would not have been offside in this specific situation.

According to the IFAB rules, in the event that a team (Team A) attacking player who is in an offside position runs towards the ball but does not play it or prevent Team B from playing it, the referee should rule that “it is not an offside offense so the referee allows play to continue.” Only when an attacking player plays the ball or tangles with an opponent will they be penalized.”

At full time, Ibrox boss Philippe Clement expressed his emotions. “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,” he said in an interview with the BBC. That really intrigues me.

“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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