NafisaRangers have been accused of escaping a major refereeing decision during their 1-0 victory over Aberdeen after former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett delivered a damning verdict on James Penrice’s controversial challenge at Hampden.
Derek McInnes’ side secured their place in the Premier Sports Cup final thanks to Ryan Naderi’s late winner, but footage of an early incident involving Penrice and Aberdeen midfielder Afeez Aremu has sparked outrage.
The Rangers defender was fortunate to escape without even receiving a yellow card after making a reckless challenge on his opponent. However, Hackett has now reviewed the footage and believes the decision was far worse than simply failing to issue a booking.
In an assessment that will inevitably increase pressure on referee Ryan Lee and his officiating team, the former PGMOL chief insisted there was no doubt that Penrice should have been sent off.
Keith Hackett Delivers Brutal Verdict on James Penrice Challenge
The incident occurred during the early stages of Saturday’s semi-final, when Penrice caught Aremu with a dangerous challenge.
The AEK Athens loanee, who was operating in a makeshift midfield role, went into the challenge in a manner that raised serious questions about the safety of the Aberdeen player.
Despite the nature of the contact, referee Lee decided against taking disciplinary action, allowing Penrice to continue without even showing him a yellow card.
That decision has now come under intense scrutiny after Hackett examined the footage.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former PGMOL chief delivered a remarkably strong verdict on what he witnessed.
He said:
“Wow. That’s a nailed-on red card.
“The challenge clearly endangered the safety of his opponent and fulfilled the criteria for Serious Foul Play.
“Look at the landing area into the chest of his opponent.
“Surely elite officials cannot allow that type of challenge to go unpunished – where was VAR?”
Hackett’s assessment leaves little room for doubt about his position. He believes the challenge met the criteria for serious foul play and that Penrice should have been dismissed.
The fact that the Rangers player escaped without even a booking makes the decision particularly controversial.
Where Was VAR During the Controversial Incident?
Hackett’s criticism was not limited to the referee’s initial decision.
His question about VAR’s involvement has become an important part of the debate, especially considering the potential consequences of the challenge.
Under the laws of the game, a player can be sent off for serious foul play when a challenge endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality.
Hackett believes Penrice’s challenge clearly met that threshold, making the failure to intervene difficult for him to understand.
VAR is expected to review potential red-card incidents, including serious foul play, and can recommend an on-field review when it identifies a possible clear and obvious error.
However, Penrice remained on the pitch, with neither the referee nor VAR taking action that resulted in a dismissal.
For Aberdeen, that could have been a significant moment in the semi-final. Had Rangers been reduced to ten men during the contest, the balance of the game might have looked very different.
Rangers Go On to Reach the Cup Final
The controversy ultimately formed part of a frustrating afternoon for Aberdeen, who were unable to prevent Rangers from securing their place in the final.
McInnes’ side had worked hard to keep the contest competitive, but Rangers eventually found the breakthrough in the 83rd minute.
James Penrice was involved in the decisive attacking move, with his effort redirected into the net by Ryan Naderi from close range.
The striker’s goal proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory and send Rangers through to the Premier Sports Cup final, where they will face either Hearts or Hibernian on December 13.
However, the result has not stopped questions from being asked about the officials.
Hackett’s intervention has given fresh attention to the challenge on Aremu, with the former PGMOL chief openly questioning how Penrice escaped punishment.
For Aberdeen supporters, the frustration will be that an incident they believe deserved a red card was allowed to pass without even a booking.
Rangers have their place in the final, but the controversy surrounding Penrice’s challenge is now threatening to overshadow their progression to Hampden’s showpiece occasion.
Nafisa
