Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell was left furious after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Celtic at Rugby Park, with a stoppage-time penalty proving decisive.
After a lengthy review, Beaton pointed to the spot, and debutant Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to bury the penalty in the 96th minute. The goal sent Celtic back to the top of the Premiership on goal difference and denied Kilmarnock what would have been a hard-fought point.
Kettlewell, however, was incensed at the decision and claimed it directly contradicted the guidance clubs were given at the start of the season regarding handball incidents. The Killie boss made clear he was proud of his players’ effort but demanded answers over why the spot-kick had been awarded.
Speaking after the match, he questioned the consistency of officiating in Scotland and warned that managers are being left confused by constant contradictions over the interpretation of handball.
He said: (SunSport), “I was told that if it ricochets from half a yard and hits a hand, they’re not going to give it as a penalty. That’s what I was told, so I need to ask the question again.
“Somebody will need to tell me why that’s been given. We’re just going round in circles here.
“I need to watch what I say before they start throwing sanctions or match bans. I don’t want that. I’m immensely proud of the players, but please, I need somebody to answer that question.
“We’ll make a phone call tomorrow and find out why that was given as a penalty based on what we were told at the start of the season.
“Fair enough if the arm’s outstretched or it’s a direct strike, but this ricochets at close range. The ball’s not even going into the net. Why is that a penalty?
“I don’t make the rules, I just try to adhere to them. I’ve been told I’m too black and white, but I stick to what we’ve been told. We definitely didn’t deserve that.”
Kettlewell’s comments reflect the ongoing frustration among managers about VAR and the handball rule, but the laws of the game left little room for debate in this case. Lewis Mayo’s arm was outstretched inside the box, and when Forrest’s effort struck it, the referee was always likely to be sent to the monitor.
The key factor was the positioning of the arm. By having it extended away from his body, Mayo made himself bigger and created a barrier that prevented the ball from progressing. Whether or not the deflection was close-range, the laws state that if the arm is in an unnatural position and blocks the ball, it will be penalised.
That was why John Beaton, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside screen, chose to award the penalty. The guidance may mention ricochets, but with the arm well away from the body, it was judged to be punishable.
In the end, Iheanacho kept his composure and did the rest, firing into the top corner to secure the points for Celtic. The debate will rage on, but the reality is simple: an outstretched arm in the penalty area carries a risk, and Kilmarnock paid the price.
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2 responses
Kettlewell full of it, lied to get out of Motherwell and lying again. I hope the transcript of the meeting at the start of the year is released to prove the type of person he is. I have it on good authority that the ricochet example was when the shot wasn’t directed at goal. As the SFA have stated, if your hands are in an unnatural position anticipating blocking a goal bound shot, a deflection doesn’t matter. These rules were explained at said meeting
I suspect if kilmarnock had won a penalty Kettledrum would have refused it aand given the ball to Celtic. Aye sure. Dry your eyes big boy. We have now inherited Kris the fat dumpling as our Pundit on TV. God almighty Sky are desperate for him to talk shoite.