Rangers red card controversy continues as ex-referee delivers Celtic verdict | OneFootball

The fallout from Emmanuel Fernandez’s controversial escape against Celtic has continued after two former SFA referees assessed the flashpoint from Rangers’ 1-0 derby victory.

Nygren Fernandez

John Beaton’s decision not to award Celtic a free-kick when Fernandez challenged Benjamin Nygren in the 16th minute has already come under scrutiny, with Bobby Madden questioning the call and former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg expressing his surprise that no foul was given.

Fernandez had been booked just four minutes into the game for bringing down Camilo Duran before Nygren got beyond the Rangers defender 12 minutes later.

Beaton waved play on, meaning VAR was unable to intervene over a potential second yellow card.

Former SFA officials Des Roache and Steve Conroy have now had their say, with Roache adamant Fernandez should have received a second caution and been sent off.

Speaking on The Ref’s View, Roache said: “I think on its own merit, I think that’s enough of a foul to deserve a caution.

“And because it’s a caution, it’s his second one and he should be sent off. He’s clattered into him, he’s made contact with him, he’s pulled him. There’s everything there for a caution in my opinion.

“So yes, I think he should have received a second yellow. How John didn’t even give a foul, that’s what I was more thinking. Really, everybody could see it was a foul.

“And that’s why VAR couldn’t get involved, because VAR then can’t re-referee that instance.”

Conroy was less certain over whether the challenge warranted another booking, but agreed that Celtic should at least have been awarded a free-kick.

Conroy said: “It’s not like me to be undecided, but I’m genuinely undecided. I think the only opinion that you can’t hold from seeing that incident is the one that took place. You can’t say that that’s not a foul.

“Well, you can, but you can’t, if you’re looking straight at it with a completely unobstructed view. God alone knows what he was looking at.

“I’m always trying to find mitigation, but maybe he just blinked at the wrong moment or something.”

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