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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Ewan Paton

Celtic penalty drama goes international as Killie boss seeks clarity

Stuart Kettlewell admits clarity has been sought over Celtic's controversial penalty award against Kilmarnock - by going international.

Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to score his first goal for the Hoops on 96 minutes after Lewis Mayo was penalised for a handball, with the ball deflecting onto his arm at extremely close-range from Robbie Deas' foot.

John Beaton waved play on in real time, but Matthew MacDermid on VAR saw reason to intervene, and so advised the referee to check the pitchside monitor at Rugby Park, with the spot kick subsequently awarded.

The goal saw Brendan Rodgers' side claim all three points a little over 10 minutes after David Watson had deservedly equalised for the hosts with a bullet header.

Kettlewell conveyed his dismay at the officiating at the time. And he has hinted that has been backed up by officials at the SFA and abroad.

"It’s difficult for me how much I can disclose and what I can say," he told Scottish Football Social Club. “What I can say is that I have since had a really good, lengthy conversation and an explanation as to what was seen and what the decision was.

“I’d spoken about it after, but I believe that we’re going to see some disappointed people in Scottish football if that’s what’s seen deemed a penalty kick that ricocheted off a foot and onto an arm from such close proximity.

“It would be my understanding, and again, I need to be careful, I’m not trying to quote anybody here, I would be surprised if we see that again as a penalty throughout the season. I think that would be fair to say.


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“There has been some serious work done behind the scenes, not just in Scotland, but, speaking to other associations, other officials to pick their brains, ‘Would you give that in France, or would you give that in Germany’ or whatever?

“And I think the general consensus is that people don’t want to see it as a penalty. That doesn’t help us on the day. Of course, it doesn’t.

"But I think that me saying that lines up with what you guys felt, what I think everybody in Scottish Football felt after that game.

“And I think it becomes so difficult for defenders. I would argue that was terrific defending from Robbie Deas and Lewis Mayo and the consequence of a block where your foot is and a ricochet from half a yard.

"So, I think, we all agree that it can’t be a penalty and we don’t want it seen as a penalty.”

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