Footage has emerged on social media of a possible penalty that appeared to be missed during today's Celtic vs Rangers clash.
Ibrox striker Alfredo Morelos appeared to have his shirt held by Hoops defender Alistair Johnston in the 51st minute as the ball was centered from a corner.
Morelos got his head on the delivery and the ball ultimately went out for a goal kick as it deflected off midfielder Ryan Jack.
There were few appeals from Rangers players and Morelos himself, but replays of the incident showed his shirt clearly being tugged.
IFAB rules state that “a direct free kick/penalty is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences:
- a handball offence (except for the goalkeeper within their penalty area)
- holds an opponent
- impedes an opponent with contact
- bites or spits at someone on the team lists or a match official
- throws an object at the ball, an opponent or a match official, or makes contact with the ball with a held object”.
There was a brief stoppage in play shortly after the incident but it was not clear what the stoppage was for.
Sky Sports' commentary team of Ian Crocker, Ally McCoist and Andy Walker also did not comment on the incident at the time.
Meanwhile, Michael Beale felt Rangers were on the wrong end of two key decisions in the 3-2 defeat at Celtic which all but settled the destination of the Premiership.
Gers striker Alfredo Morelos had a ‘goal’ chalked off after referee Kevin Clancy adjudged that Hoops defender Alistair Johnston had been fouled.
Kyogo Furuhashi then gave Celtic the lead after 26 minutes before Rangers skipper James Tavernier levelled just before the break with a stunning free-kick.
Furuhashi took advantage of a Ben Davies mistake in the 62nd minute to grab his second, although Beale claimed the ball came off the arm of Jota beforehand.
“Fine margins,” said Beale of an enthralling game. “I thought we played well in the game. Obviously two big mistakes were quite costly for us, after I thought we started the second half very well.
“I thought one or two VAR decisions were harsh on us.
“If you look at Alfredo’s shirt, it is twisted around his back and I don’t think their player is trying to play the ball, only one player is trying to play the ball.
“There’s a lot going on with the two players but why pick on ours at the moment?
“Kevin sees it there and then. I asked him if it was for a foul on (goalkeeper) Joe Hart and he said it was for a foul by Alfredo, that’s what I am disappointed with.
“The guys in the (VAR) studio are watching it back, all I would ask is if you look at the number on Alfredo’s shirt, who is pulling who?
“One is trying to play the ball, the other isn’t. It was a big decision in the game.
“Ben Davies makes a mistake with the clearance up in the air and heading against Jota, but it hits his arm. I know it’s not outside his body, but to not get one of the two is harsh.
“Going back to the game, the two mistakes that cost us are not the only mistakes, we had chances up the other end when we could have been more decisive.
“I thought my team played well throughout and probably deserved a bit more.”
