Since Celtic’s controversial encounter at Tynecastle, the spotlight has intensified not only on the officiating but also on the rules governing the game itself.
A particular incident—a penalty awarded against Celtic for a handball involving Tomoki Iwata—has sparked widespread debate and confusion, even among the players themselves.
Liam Scales, Celtic’s defender, openly expressed his uncertainty about what constitutes a handball under the current rules.
The decision to award a penalty against Celtic for this incident left players and fans alike bewildered, with Scales revealing on Celtic TV, “Tomoki (Iwata) didn’t even know until half-time that it was given against him.”
This episode not only highlights the ambiguity surrounding the handball rule but also adds another layer to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers’ frustrations with the match officials.
Rodgers’ scathing critique of the officials, particularly VAR operator John Beaton, for their handling of the match led to him being charged by the SFA.
Rodgers used the term “incompetence” to describe the officiating team’s performance, a comment that has put him at risk of receiving a minimum two-match ban, with the potential for even more severe sanctions. His hearing, set for March 28, looms as a critical moment that could see him absent from the touchline for crucial upcoming matches, including a highly anticipated derby against Rangers.
