Exclusive: Johnstone Burgh v Darvel replay update after Kyle Lafferty controversy
Kyle Lafferty was at the centre of a major controversy in the Scottish lower leagues which has left Keith Hackett calling for considerable action.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the game should be replayed as a consequence of the former Rangers and Kilamrnock striker’s impact.
Johnstone Burgh came from a goal behind to win 2-1 at Darvel in their Scottish sixth-tier clash on Saturday (22 March) helping them to maintain third place in the table.
Their opponents meanwhile remain bottom of the standings, but will feel as though they were particularly hard done by with this result.
Kyle Lafferty turns game after controversial substitution
With 20 minutes of the game remaining and Darvel leading 1-0, Lafferty was introduced as a substitute for Johnstone Burgh.
Moments after his introduction, a shot from the ex-Northern Ireland international led to a penalty being awarded for handball.
It was then realised Lafferty had been the sixth player brought off the bench for Johnstone Burgh, more than the permitted five, as recognised by Mo Salah during Liverpool’s recent win over Southampton.
After some discussion, the substitution was reversed, although the penalty won by Lafferty was allowed to stand.
Johnstone Burgh then equalised through that spot kick before scoring a late winner, to leave Darvel manager Michael Oliver furious.
Hackett meanwhile, believes that consideration must be given to replaying the game, while also questioning how the additional substitution was not spotted by the officials.
Keith Hackett reacts to game-changing substitution
Speaking to Football Insider about the penalty being allowed to stand, and if he believes the Scottish FA could take action leading to the game being replayed, the former referee said:
“I think first of all this highlights the importance at whatever level where substitutions are made, that the process at the substitution is the correct one.
“Now, the match officials will have received a teamsheet and they should then make notes of the substitute players who are on the bench, and then on that form, tick off the number of substitutes.
“So the starting point here is that player shouldn’t be on the field of play, so I think if I was Darvel, I would certainly make a fairly strong appeal, and I think if I was sitting on a panel, I would be suggesting that the game is replayed.
“Now, end of season cost involved and all that goes with it. You’ve then got to look at the team who’ve applied the substitutions: why have they not recognised that they’ve used their full compliment of substitutes.
“On the field of play I think what might well (should) have happened is they’ve got the time of Lafferty coming on.
“At that point they should actually cancel the penalty kick, then gone back to Lafferty leaving the field of play and the other player coming back on and the clock restarts at the point that substitution was made.
“They could have done that, and that might have made the task easier, but to actually say that the penalty kick can be taken is wrong. Darvel should appeal, the match officials have got it wrong, Johnstone Burgh won the game unfairly. Replay the game.
“Whatever the travel of cost of putting the game on they (Johnston Burgh) pay, although at this level you don’t know if those players are being paid as well. So it gets messy but that’s what the Scottish FA have got to resolve.”
An update from the secretary of the West of Scotland Football League where the game took place has since been issued, clarifying that an investigation will be launched after the referee’s report is received, with both clubs invited to submit statements.