McCoist said in a live talkSPORT interview on March 6 at 06:09, “It was disgraceful.” It’s amazing. Unbelievably, Kilmarnock received one against Rangers at home, and the Celtic one was far worse. However, Lundstram was struck by it while his arm was still at his side.
“That’s the problem, Ally, nobody knows what the rules are around hand-balls,” Brazil retorted. If there are five referees, three will vote for one and two for the other.
McCoist was still furious, saying, “They need to use the word ‘Obvious’ or ‘Deliberate.'” If you’ve played the game at any level, you and I are aware when a handball is intentional. You know 99 times out of 100.
Before, finally, Brazil surmised: “It’s spoiling the game,” and McCoist finished, “It is, it’s absolutely terrible.”
Scottish officials have come under fire of late after several controversial decisions against both Old Firm clubs, with McCoist and Brazil the latest to aim their sights at refereeing in the SPFL.
This issue goes beyond Scotland, though, with inconsistencies in decisions a talking point almost every weekend in the Premier League as well, leading to suggestions that either the officials simply aren’t competent enough, or the rules aren’t clear enough.
This season, referees have been especially important to Rangers. Willie Collum and Alan Muir have both drawn criticism for contentious rulings against the Ibrox club, with some even suggesting Collum should be barred from officiating Rangers games.
Following the revelation that SPFL referees are not required to disclose which team they support, Chris Sutton talked about what he called “conspiracy theories.” This raised the prospect that a Celtics supporter would officiate a Rangers game, and vice versa.
Read also: DAUNTING: Rangers Have Arrived, but Don’t Count Out Celtic Yet- Chris Sutton
