The controversy surrounding Celtic’s penalty award against Kilmarnock continues to spark debate. Livingston boss David Martindale has weighed in on the issue, stating that while he doesn’t think the penalty was justified, he can understand why it was given. The penalty, awarded in stoppage time, proved crucial in securing a 2-1 win for Celtic.
Martindale’s Take
- Martindale expressed his reservations about the penalty, saying, “I don’t think it’s a penalty. I don’t agree with it, but I can see why it was given.”
- He acknowledged the complexity of the handball rule, noting that the ball’s trajectory towards goal could be interpreted as a penalty.
- Martindale also highlighted the inconsistency in penalty decisions, stating, “Sometimes you think you know the rules, and then you realize you don’t, because there’s such a big grey area.”
Double Standard?
Martindale’s comments have been seen as revealing a double standard, as he admitted that while he’d be “devastated” if a similar penalty were awarded against his team, he’d still claim it if it were given to his side. This pragmatic approach has sparked discussion about the nature of penalty decisions in football ¹ ².
Kilmarnock’s Reaction
Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell has called for consistency in penalty awards, questioning the logic behind the decision to give Celtic a penalty. He believes that the precedent set by this decision will lead to more penalties being awarded in similar situations ³.
VAR Debate
The role of VAR in the penalty decision has also been scrutinized. Former SFA referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy have criticized the penalty award, with Roache taking aim at VAR operator Matthew McDermid. The debate highlights the challenges of applying the handball rule consistently ².
