Former SFA referee says officials got Mika Baur Celtic decision wrong at Ibrox | OneFootball

Former SFA referee Bobby Madden believes Celtic midfielder Mika Baur should have been booked during Sunday’s 3-0 Premier Sports Cup defeat to Rangers – but insists the challenge was not worthy of a red card.

The incident occurred after 64 minutes at Ibrox when Baur caught Rangers striker Ryan Naderi on the shin after the forward had stumbled on the ball.

Referee Nick Walsh surprisingly awarded the free-kick to Celtic, with Baur escaping without punishment, prompting complaints from the Rangers players.

The challenge has since sparked debate, with some Rangers supporters calling for Baur to have been sent off. However, Madden believes a yellow card and Rangers free-kick would have been the correct outcome.

Speaking on his So Near, Yet So VAR podcast, Madden said: “The first thing to be upset about is that the free-kick went to Celtic.

“Then, I think you can see that Naderi loses his balance, slips a little, the ball goes behind his leg and then Baur comes in and makes the challenge.

“You are saying, yes, we have seen red card challenges for contact that high up the leg, but we always need to consider the criteria for serious foul play – speed, intensity, force, malice and endangering the safety of an opponent.

“If you look at this incident in it’s entirety, it doesn’t endanger an opponent, there is no malice, yes the contact is on the shin – but it’s not a red card offence. I believe it’s a yellow card for reckless, and showing a disregard for the opponent, and the free kick obviously should have gone to Rangers. But it’s not a red card offence.”

Madden also explained why the point of contact alone would not have been enough for VAR to recommend an on-field review to Walsh.

He said: “If you look at that contact, yes it’s high – but we don’t referee with still images. Yes, it’s good to prove the point of contact but that alone is not enough to warrant a red card for serious foul play. We have to consider all the other criteria.

“I think you can see the way that Baur enters the challenge there is an attempt to play the ball. Because Naderi slips the ball is then behind his leg, so it doesn’t tick the boxes at all.”

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