Dermot Gallagher ‘at a loss’ after ‘outrageous’ Emmanuel Fernandez controversy in Rangers vs Livingston
Emmanuel Fernandez was central to the controversy as Rangers secured a victory against Livingston on Saturday.
Michael Stewart was baffled by Fernandez’s handball against Livingston as the ball clearly made contact with his arm inside the penalty area.
The SFA suggested that Fernandez’s arm position played a role against awarding a spot kick to the away side at the expense of the centre-back.
The decision at Ibrox hasn’t gone down well in the wider football world, with Neil McCann confused about how Livingston didn’t get a penalty.
Former FIFA official Dermot Gallagher has now had his say on Fernandez after David Martindale voiced his frustrations over the call.
Jay Bothroyd fumes at Emmanuel Fernandez decision vs Livingston
Tam McManus was left raging by the Fernandez decision as the goalscoring 24-year-old somehow avoided punishment for a clear handball.
The full-time result could have been so different for Livi had they been afforded the opportunity to convert from 12 yards.
Tete Yengi had already brought the away side level and could have taken the lead if they had taken a penalty against Jack Butland.
Instead, the away side fell to a 2-1 defeat after Mohamed Diomande netted a 78th-minute winner to secure three points for Danny Rohl.
The call from VAR and on-field referee Ross Hardie has gone down badly, with heavy scrutiny piling in from all angles.
Former Arsenal striker Jay Bothroyd spoke out via Sky Sports’ Ref Watch on 24 November to voice his fury against the no-penalty decision.
He said: “The ball is moving in the same direction and hits the player’s hand. That is an outrageous decision. The manager is 100 per cent right to be aggrieved with that, that is just terrible.“
The ex-England international was enraged, while Gallagher was able to provide a more rational approach, despite also being completely baffled.
Dermot Gallagher perplexed by Rangers vs Livingston controversy
The former Premier League referee is usually the man to fight the corner of match officials when their decisions come under scrutiny.
Gallagher has been known to speak out in support of referees on the most controversial occasions.
Even he can’t understand the decision not to award a penalty against Fernandez after what was seemingly a clear handball.
He said: “It’s not going to change anything [an apology], it’s after the event. I just can’t see where it’s hit any other part of his body. I’m at a loss.“
If anything sums up how confusing this decision was for Livingston, this does exactly that, not that Rohl or Rangers will care now.
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