Celtic news: Josip Juranovic lucky to escape major punishment as ex-Premier League referee analyses new controversy
Celtic defender Josip Juranovic can consider himself fortunate not to give away a penalty in Croatia’s penalty shootout victory over Brazil in the World Cup quarter-finals last week (9 December), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted he did not feel Juranovic was guilty of a handball but similar decisions had gone the other way.
The ball appeared to hit the 27-year-old’s arm when he was defending a cross from Brazil’s right.
VAR reviewed the footage after the on-field referee waved away Brazil’s appeals but did not feel that a clear and obvious error had been made and the game continued.
Penalties were needed to split the two sides as Croatia progressed to a consecutive World Cup semi-final.
“I think this was the right call,” Hackett said after analysing the image with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s not looking at the ball. I like the word deliberate and this was not a deliberate action. He’s not deliberately made his body shape larger, his hands are in a natural position in order to gain height.
“For me, it was the correct decision to not award a penalty kick but we have seen them given.
“We often talk about the inconsistency of the handball law.”
Juranovic has been one of the breakout stars at the World Cup for Croatia.
Sources told Football Insider last month (30 November) that Celtic are confident of agreeing a £5million-plus January sale of the right-back.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has issued a Celtic claim as near-£10million Rangers legal action launched.