Aberdeen fans are left frustrated by a controversial decision in the SFA Youth Cup final at Hampden Park. Despite a valiant effort from the under-18s team, they were ultimately defeated after conceding two quick goals after taking the lead through Timi Akindileni in the 66th minute.
The game turned when Rangers were awarded a penalty for a handball just minutes after Aberdeen’s goal. The ball struck Lewis Carroll’s outstretched elbow in the box, leading to the spot-kick that Findlay Curtis converted. A deflected shot later gave the Gers the winning goal.
Fans took to social media to criticize the referee’s decision, with many feeling that the penalty was harsh. The handball rule states that a player’s hand or arm is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger if it is not a consequence of their body movement. In Carroll’s case, his arm was by his side until he raised it to block the ball, making his body bigger in an unnatural way.
Despite the disappointment, the young team gained valuable experience playing at Hampden against Rangers. While the result may not have gone their way, they will learn from the tough lessons of football at a high level.
