Bobby Madden hits back after being called out over Dundee United vs Rangers verdict – ‘Come on’
Bobby Madden insists referee David Dickinson was right not to award a penalty against Emmanuel Fernandez in Rangers’ 2-2 draw with Dundee United.
Nedim Bajrami converted a 98th-minute penalty to snatch Rangers a draw at Tannadice in Wednesday evening’s entertaining contest.
Zac Sapsford and Amar Fatah had earlier scored either side of Jayden Meghoma’s long-range equaliser for Rangers.
Meghoma was criticised for his performance against Dundee United, but his goal and Bajrami’s cool penalty ensured Danny Rohl remains unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership.
However, the hosts felt they should have had the opportunity to go two goals ahead as the ball struck Fernandez‘s arm in the penalty box.
Former SFA referee Madden has now had his say on the major talking point and has sided with the Rangers player.
Referee right not to penalise Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez
A long throw into the box just missed the head of Bert Esselink and hit the arm of Fernandez, who was then able to clear.
United players strongly appealed for a spot-kick, but referee Dickinson – no stranger to Rangers controversy – decided against it.
VAR official Don Robertson did not deem it worthy to call Dickinson over to the pitchside monitor and play continued.
Reacting to footage of the incident on his personal Instagram account, Madden said: “The absolute definition of ‘natural position’. This is not a punishable handball and not a penalty.
“As some penalties have been awarded for handball recently, some people will be screaming for every hand/arm contact to be punished.
“Relax. Stick to the criteria, as referee and VAR have here, and judge each decision on its own merit.”
When someone questioned Madden’s verdict and pondered how Fernandez’s arm was in a “natural position”, the ex-ref replied: “Do you want players to play with their hands behind their back or always within their body position? Come on.”
Fernandez also escaped punishment two weeks ago when Tete Yengi’s shot struck him on the hand inside the area in Rangers’ 2-1 win over Livingston at Ibrox.
Rangers achieve a season high in draw vs Dundee United
Rangers’ unbeaten run in the league now spans nine matches, six of those under Rohl, but they have been held to back-to-back draws.
Any hope of mounting a title charge have all but ended in the space of a few days, with Celtic and Hearts both nine points better off.
Rohl’s side did achieve a season high at Tannadice, having got away 32 shots in total. Indeed, that’s the most any side has managed in a Scottish Premiership match this season.
That paid off to an extent when Bajrami equalised, but a point is ultimately a bad result in a game Rangers had to win.
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