BBC pundits debate over Rangers controversy v Dundee
Neil McCann and James McFadden were in disagreement over a controversial incident in the Rangers 3-1 win over Dundee on Saturday, 9 December.
McCann believed that both the Jose Cifuentes and Aaron Donnelly decisions were incorrect and that the former should not have been given his marching orders.
McFadden had a contrasting view and shared it live on BBC, as quoted by Football Scotland.
McCann said: “Tony Docherty haș spoken about seeing the full incident, and when you see it, both of them are at it for me. It’s as soon as Donnelly goes down onto the knee and the pull of the shirt, that’s what they’re looking at. But it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other. It’s where the game is going.”
“The one with Cifuentes, I know he catches him and he’s late but it’s a yellow card for me. I know, before anyone starts and is going ‘It’s because he’s ex-Rangers!’, I’m the same with Greg Taylor! I think a yellow, if a card, because there isn’t a lot of force going through it and he tries pulling his leg back.”
McFadden then started the debate and said: “It’s a red card for me. There’s a stamp – it’s not forceful, he’s overextended because he’s lost the ball – I think it’s a red card.”
McCann’s spot on
McCann astutely points out the contentious nature of both the Cifuentes incident and the penalty decision.
He emphasises that in both cases, the actions of the players involved contribute to the decision-making dilemma which is something McFadden failed to do.
Regarding Cifuentes, McCann acknowledged the lateness of the challenge but argued that the lack of significant force warranted a yellow card rather than a straight red.
Regarding the Donnelly situation, McCann argues the mutual involvement of both players, illustrating the difficulty of making a clear-cut decision.
Like he mentioned, there will be people saying he’s biased towards Rangers but he does make the most sense and this does not seem like it’s clouding his judgement.
Refereeing all over the United Kingdom is horrendous and things need to change quickly as it cannot be allowed to go on like this when everyone is unhappy about it.
In other Rangers news, the club may now rekindle the transfer interest in a ‘Dynamic’ central midfielder amid a recent behind-the-scenes coup.