BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English has been left astonished by the decision not to award Rangers a penalty against Celtic at Hampden.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has urged journalists to investigate why Vaclav Cerny was not awarded a penalty after being hauled down by Liam Scales.
The Rangers attacker was given a free kick but replays appeared to show the contact was inside the box, meaning VAR should have intervened and handed Rangers a penalty in extra time in the 3-3 draw.
Celtic eventually went on to win the game on penalties and Tom English is the latest voice to wade into the incident, which has overshadowed a quality Old Firm Premier Sports Cup Final.
Rangers Celtic VAR penalty call scrutinised
Tom English has taken to social media platform X to express his confusion over the decision not to award Rangers a blatant penalty against Celtic.
Former referee Bobby Madden claims the incident is 100% a spot kick, whilst fellow ex-whistlers Des Roache and Steve Conroy agree.
The situation has heaped the scrutiny on VAR pair Alan Muir and Frank Connor with Rangers fans urging the club to push the SPFL and SFA on the matter.
The incident is the latest in a long line of VAR related mishaps in the Old Firm fixture, with a growing perception that Celtic are being somewhat protected by officials.
Tom English certainly didn’t allude to such suggestions in his message but the leading BBC Sport journalist is just as confused as everyone else.
Tom English: penalty decision ‘inexplicable’
Tom English initially touched on the glaring opportunity Rangers had to make it 2-0 against Celtic at Hampden.
Rangers were left 4 on 1 at the back but failed to capitalise in a moment which eventually came back to haunt the Ibrox side.
But English then went on to describe the failure to award a penalty as ‘inexplicable’, suggesting the moment will ‘fry the brains’ of Rangers fans for quite some time to come.
The post on X reads:
“Butchering a 4 on 1 to go 2-0 ahead will be painful enough to Rangers fans, but this episode at 3-3 will fry their brains for a long time.
“It’s a penalty. No explanation yet why it wasn’t given in real time (understandable) or why VAR didn’t intervene (inexplicable).”
