NafisaJohn Beaton’s controversial decision during Sunday’s Old Firm derby has sparked another major debate after former Scottish FA referee Bobby Madden insisted the Rangers defender involved should have been sent off.
Yet despite the growing scrutiny surrounding the incident, there has been no punishment handed to the referee following the controversial call at Celtic Park.
The decision has inevitably frustrated Celtic supporters, particularly because the match was still goalless when the incident occurred and Rangers would go on to secure a 1-0 victory.
Derek McInnes’ side eventually claimed another huge Old Firm victory through Ryan Naderi’s first-half goal, completing back-to-back wins over Celtic in the space of just eight days.
But one moment early in the match has continued to dominate the conversation.
It involved Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez.
Fernandez had already been shown a yellow card after only four minutes for hauling down Camilo Duran as the Celtic attacker attempted to break forward.
That decision itself sparked a furious confrontation around the technical areas, with McInnes and Celtic coach Mark Fotheringham both eventually receiving yellow cards.
But just 12 minutes later, Fernandez found himself involved in another incident that could have changed the entire match.
Fernandez escapes again
Benjamin Nygren received the ball before playing it beyond Fernandez and attempting to continue Celtic’s attack.
The Rangers defender then bundled the Celtic midfielder over.
Beaton allowed play to continue, appearing to believe that Fernandez had won the ball.
Celtic players immediately protested, with supporters also demanding action from the referee.
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton was among those who criticised the decision, describing the challenge as “reckless” and calling Fernandez a “lucky boy”.
Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield also questioned the decision, while former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner went even further by claiming Beaton had “bottled it”.
But the strongest assessment came after the game.
Former Scottish FA referee Bobby Madden reviewed the incident and concluded that Fernandez should have received another yellow card.
Madden explained that Nygren had clearly played the ball beyond Fernandez and that the Celtic attack represented a promising attack.
“Fernandez, who was cautioned in the fourth minute, [committed] this offence in the 16th minute of the game.
“If we look at this situation in isolation, the attacker plays the ball beyond Fernandez and you can see that this is a clear promising attack.
“Listed within the cautions for unsporting behaviour is stopping a promising attack.
“During the match, the referee did not award a free-kick for this offence. If he had, the yellow card for stopping a promising attack should have been issued.
“We need to remember that VAR cannot get involved with issuing a second yellow card.”
And that final point is where the controversy becomes particularly interesting.
VAR could not save Celtic
Because Fernandez had already been booked, awarding a second yellow would have meant a red card.
However, VAR could not intervene simply to tell Beaton that he should issue a second yellow.
The incident was therefore entirely dependent on the on-field referee recognising the foul and deciding that it warranted another booking.
Beaton did neither.
Rangers remained at full strength.
And less than 20 minutes later, they were ahead.
Naderi eventually broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, and despite Celtic attempting to respond, Rangers held on for another famous victory at Celtic Park.
For Celtic supporters, the frustration is obvious.
Had Fernandez been shown a second yellow, Rangers would have been reduced to ten men with more than 70 minutes remaining and the score still 0-0.
That does not mean Celtic would definitely have won the match, but it would have fundamentally altered the circumstances of the derby.
Instead, Rangers continued with eleven players and eventually walked away with all three points.
Scottish FA decision finally emerges
With the incident now attracting criticism from former referees and pundits, attention has naturally turned towards the Scottish FA.
So what punishment has Beaton received for the controversial decision?
None.
There has been no disciplinary sanction against Beaton over the missed second-yellow decision for Fernandez.
The Scottish FA’s published disciplinary information does not show a punishment issued to Beaton over the incident.
That means the referee will not face a suspension or fine simply because he failed to award what Madden believes should have been a second yellow card.
And that will undoubtedly frustrate those Celtic supporters who believe the decision was one of the defining moments of the derby.
There is also an important distinction to make.
A referee making an incorrect on-field decision does not automatically mean the Scottish FA can punish that official retrospectively. In this particular case, the laws of the game also meant VAR could not intervene to manufacture a second yellow after Beaton had allowed play to continue.
Celtic still have to look at themselves
For all the controversy, Celtic cannot realistically place the entire defeat at Beaton’s door.
Martin O’Neill’s side produced too little attacking quality and ultimately failed to make enough of their opportunities.
Rangers were organised, aggressive and clinical enough to protect their lead, while Celtic struggled to find the equaliser.
The defeat was also Celtic’s third consecutive loss after the 3-0 League Cup defeat to Rangers and the 3-1 Europa League loss to Ferencvaros.
O’Neill subsequently admitted that he would reflect on his position and discuss the situation with the Celtic board.
So while the refereeing controversy provides another major talking point, it does not erase Celtic’s own shortcomings.
Nevertheless, Madden’s verdict ensures the Fernandez incident will continue to be discussed.
Rangers had already survived the early flashpoint involving Duran.
Then, at 16 minutes, they appeared to survive another potentially decisive moment.
Beaton allowed Fernandez to remain on the pitch.
Rangers went on to win 1-0.
And despite the former referee’s conclusion that the Rangers defender should have received a second yellow, the Scottish FA has taken no disciplinary action against Beaton over the decision.
For Celtic supporters still wondering what might have happened had Rangers been reduced to ten men, that is unlikely to make the controversy disappear anytime soon.
Nafisa
