Debatable Decisions SPL – Week 8
We’re two judges down this week, one was waylaid by onions (I kid you not) and the other failed to turn up for duty, but nevertheless we carry on and it’s another week of incorrect decisions.
Motherwell vs Celtic
Cummins red card/Celtic penalty
Gary – No arguments here that’s a clear foul. It’s a penalty and it’s a red card for the boy who hadn’t had a great game. Correct decision.
Paul – I think that the foul was slightly outside the Motherwell area but there was a clear foul on Commons so a red card yes, but a penalty no.
Simon – A definite foul and while the foul starts outside the box, it continues inside so a penalty was the correct decision. The referee had then no choice but to send him off. Correct on both counts.
Overall verdict – Correct Decision
Ambrose penalty shout
Gary – Not for me on this one. He’s beat his man and saw the arm come up but made a meal out of it. No penalty. Correct decision.
Paul – Not for me, Ambrose is looking for that and Brines rightly doesn’t give the spot-kick.
Simon – Like the other judges, I think Ambrose is looking for the contact and goes down very easily. No penalty.
Overall verdict – Correct Decision
St Mirren vs Ross County
St. Mirren penalty
Gary – I can’t properly see it from the angle we have as the ref’s head is in the way. But he’s right on the scene, he’s saw it clearly and I’d have to say he’s made the right call since he’s the best view to do so. Correct decision.
Paul – Baffled by this one. I have no idea why the ref has given a penalty so incorrect for me.
Simon – I’m with Paul on this one, I can’t see any possible foul on Guy and absolutely no reason for a penalty to be awarded.
Overall verdict – Incorrect decision
Hearts vs Kilmarnock
Cillian Sheridan onside or offside
Gary – Clearly onside, it’s Darren Barr who’s playing him on. Correct decision.
Paul – From the replay he looks as though he is online with the defender and you have to give the linesman credit because he is right next to Sheridan and he knows whether or not he is ahead of the play.
Simon – A terrible attempt to play offside from the Hearts defence and Sheridan timed his run perfectly. Onside and a good decision from the officials.
Overall verdict – Correct decision
Aberdeen vs Hibs
Alan Maybury foul – yellow given
Gary – I’d have to say that’s a reckless challenge, it’s high and the studs are showing I think it should have been a red. Incorrect decision.
Paul – Oh dear, that’s another horrible challenge on Ryan Fraser and another deserving of a red card, Maybury goes in with his foot high, studs showing and plenty of intent. Incorrect decision.
Simon – Ryan Fraser has been on the end of a number of poor tackles this season and this is yet another. A textbook xase of excessive force for me and Maybury should have been sent off. What amuses me most is that he had the temerity to complain about being shown a yellow card for it.
Overall verdict – Incorrect decision
Aberdeen penalty shout
Gary – It’s smashed right off his arm, handball and it should have been a penalty. Incorrect decision.
Paul – Another incorrect decision and Aberdeen should feel aggrieved. That’s a clear handball, therefore a penalty, I know the ball has taken a deflection but his hand is in the hair and a penalty should have been given.
Simon – Whilst I have some sympathy for McPake in that the ball has taken a deflection off the Aberdeen player just in front of him, there is no way his arms should be in that position in the first place and he was very lucky not to concede a penalty.
Overall verdict – Incorrect decision
Magennis onside or offside
Gary – I think he’s just offside, like his head is leaning an inch or so ahead of the last defender so I’d yet again have to say the ref got this one wrong. Incorrect decision.
Paul – Another close one but I think this is the correct decision once again he is just on line and no more.
Simon – I’m with Paul, it’s an exceptionally tight call but I think he was just onside.
Overall verdict – Correct decision
Dundee vs St. Johnstone
Dundee penalty
Gary – Foot is high and it’s reckless, he’s kicked him in the side and it’s a clear penalty. Correct decision.
Paul – I think the referee has got this one spot-on. High boot, nowhere near the ball and into the player. Penalty.
Simon – Like the other guys, a high boot and nowhere near the ball can only mean one thing. The referee was right to call this a penalty.
Overall verdict – Correct decision
McLean penalty shout
Gary – I think they both have a hold of each other so it’s hard to say who’s gaining an advantage. I’d have to say the ref got this one right. Correct decision.
Paul – I think that injury is deserving of a penalty, such a sore one for McLean to take. Honestly though, I do think it is a penalty, wrestling in the box and I think there is just enough contact to merit the penalty.
Simon – I’m with Paul again on this one. Putting aside McLean’s horrible injury, he is being pulled over from behind and had he not been hurt, I’m certain he’d have been running to the ref claiming a spot kick. They should have had one.
Overall verdict – Correct decision
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You can follow our five judges on Twitter. Mike – @19Mikey67, Robert – @RMcCracken91, Gary – @Linton1388, Paul – @Steakheed, Simon – @SFurnivall.
