Willie Collum has explained why John Souttar was not sent off during Rangers’ 1-0 victory over Hibernian last month.
After a VAR check for a Hibs penalty, referee Nick Walsh gave the Scotland international a penalty for a handball inside the area.
Mykola Kukharevych’s close-range attempt struck the former Hearts and Dundee United defender’s arm, which was raised high, during the Scottish Premiership match in front of the Copland Road Stand.
Much to the delight of the crowded home fans, Jack Butland would later save the Hibs striker’s feeble spot kick as the home team won 1-0.
Collum, the head of refereeing for the Scottish FA, stated, “It’s a correct decision for us,” “There is no doubt that it’s quite close.
The Rangers defender, however, throws himself into a made to block or save the shot at all costs, in our opinion. Unfortunately for him, he has enlarged his body, which is not normal.
Standing might make it simpler to defend a natural position. However, it becomes considerably more challenging to resist such an arm movement when you dive to block a shot.
“There’s also a slight arm movement, albeit I don’t think it’s deliberate, but I agree with the on-field referee team and the VAR team that it’s not a deliberate handball, but certainly a punishable handball.”
Supporters of Hibs and others questioned why Souttar’s handball near the goal line did not result in a red card.
“The custodian has every chance to save this shot here,” Collum clarified. One could argue that no card was displayed.
“John Souttar most likely would have been given a yellow card for purposefully blocking a shot at such close range from the goal if the referee had judged his actions to be intentional.
However, as the referee and the VAR crew do not consider this to be a purposeful handball, a yellow card is not necessary because that was taken out of the rules of the game.
“A red card would not be acceptable to us. Because the goalie has the chance to save this shot, there isn’t a clear chance to score.
Collum also concurred with the SFA’s KMI panel that Aaron Essel ought to have been given a penalty for pulling Cyriel Dessers inside the area during the Rangers’ 2-0 victory over St Johnstone.
For us, this is the wrong choice,” Collum stated. Here, we anticipate a penalty kick and the referee being summoned to the sidelines.
We will not consider this to have no effect, nor do we consider it to have a “small hold.” The holding, in our opinion, is disproportionate.
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