Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL boss shocked as Dessers denied Rangers penalty v Athletic Bilbao
Keith Hackett is in no doubt that Rangers should have been awarded a penalty after Cyriel Dessers was brought down in Athletic Bilbao’s box.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Irfan Peljto should have been sent to the pitchside monitor after seeing that the striker’s shirt was ripped.
With Barry Ferguson‘s side well under pressure at the San Mames Barria Stadium, a spot-kick would have been a massive relief for the travelling Gers supporters on Thursday, 17 April.
However, after protesting against the decision, and absolutely dumbfounded that the penalty had not been given with a sizeable hole in his shirt, Dessers was shown a yellow card while changing on the sidelines.
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Kris Boyd was furious with the decision against Rangers, and with Athletic Bilbao taking the lead just before the half-time break, it looks to be an even more vital incident.
It was the returning John Souttar has gave the penalty away, rather uncharacteristically, and despite Liam Kelly‘s heroics in the first leg at Ibrox, he was unable to reproduce an incredible save this time.
While it ended in disappointment, it was a performance to be proud of from the team who struggled to finish second in the Scottish Premiership this season, but it could have been so different.
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Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Dessers’ shirt being ripped before being taken down in the box, former referee Hackett said:
“The shirt pull should really have been picked up by VAR, who should then have sent the referee to the monitor.
“It is difficult to understand why this clear offence was not acted upon and a penalty kick was not awarded.”
The Light Blues will now turn their attentions to finishing the campaign on a high, with Ferguson wanting to prove himself good enough to be Rangers‘ permanent manager.
Five Scottish Premiership clashes remain, with St Mirren up first before welcoming Celtic to Ibrox, so there is still a lot of pride to fight for despite the league title race being completely over.