Mark Clattenburg has assessed the scenes that unfolded after Rangers and Celtic played out a 2-2 draw at Ibrox on Sunday.
Rangers appeared to be cruising after they had a 2-0 lead, but failed to hold on to it and allowed their arch rivals a way back into the game.
As Old Firm derbies usually get, things were feisty during the game, but seemed to get out of hand post the full-time whistle.
Mark Clattenburg reacts as Martin O’Neill plays peacemaker post full-time
Clattenburg believes that the SFA will look into the scenes that unfolded at the end of the Old Firm game.
Rangers and Celtic do not like each other, and that became evident after the full-time whistle.
Players from both sides were seen shoving each other as things seemed to heat up at the end of the game.
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill had to intervene and play the role of the peacemaker before things escalated further.
Mikey Moore, Nico Raskin and Tuur Rommens were among the Rangers players involved, while Celtic’s Dane Murray, Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda were also part of the scrap.
Looking at the footage shared by the BBC, Clattenburg, a former Premier League and FIFA official, told Rangers News exclusively: “I thought the referee handled the confrontation at the end of the Rangers v Celtic match well.
“I am sure the Scottish Football Association will look into it, but I thought most of the players and coaching staff did well to try and defuse the situation.”
Will Rangers or Celtic be sanctioned for the post-match incident?
Given Clattenburg’s verdict, things did not escalate to a point where serious questions needed to be asked by either party.
It was the aftermath of a thrilling derby, and undoubtedly, words will have been exchanged during and after the game.
Based on what the managers also said in their respective press conferences, it does not seem likely that there will be sanctions put in place on either team.
The association may send warnings in order to keep things more civilised ahead of the same fixture this coming Sunday, albeit in the Scottish Cup.
