NafisaRangers have been accused of benefiting from another controversial refereeing decision during their 1-0 victory over Aberdeen, with former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett insisting the Dons should have been awarded a penalty at Hampden.
Derek McInnes’ side eventually secured their place in the Premier Sports Cup final through Ryan Naderi’s late winner, but one first-half incident has continued to attract attention following the final whistle.
Aberdeen appealed for a penalty after Rangers were unable to clear their lines inside the box, with the ball eventually striking the arm of Ayoub Mouloua.
However, referee Ryan Lee waved away the appeals, while VAR official John Beaton decided against recommending an on-field review.
Hackett has now examined the footage and delivered a verdict that will raise further questions about the officials’ handling of the contest. According to the former PGMOL chief, there was little justification for denying Aberdeen a spot-kick.
Keith Hackett Explains Why Rangers Should Have Been Awarded a Penalty
The incident involved Mouloua handling the ball inside Aberdeen’s penalty area after a knockdown from Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez.
Rangers players immediately appealed for a penalty, believing the Aberdeen defender had committed a handball offence.
The referee, however, was not convinced, and play continued without a spot-kick being awarded.
It was a significant moment in a match that remained finely balanced for much of the afternoon, particularly with Rangers struggling to find a breakthrough against McInnes’ side.
Hackett has now questioned the decision after reviewing the footage.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, he said:
“The ball has travelled some distance and the player frankly makes no attempt to avoid the ball strike his arm. In fact, that left arm moves upward.
“A penalty kick should have been awarded.”
His assessment is a clear criticism of Lee’s decision, with Hackett believing the movement of Mouloua’s arm should have resulted in a penalty for Rangers.
The incident also raises questions about why VAR did not intervene, given that Beaton had the opportunity to review the footage and assess whether the on-field decision was a clear and obvious error.
John Beaton and Ryan Lee Under Pressure After Hampden Decision
The absence of VAR intervention has become another talking point following the semi-final.
Although handball decisions can be difficult to assess, officials must consider factors including the position of the arm, the player’s movement and whether the contact was avoidable.
Hackett’s argument centres on the distance the ball travelled and what he believes was an upward movement of Mouloua’s left arm.
He therefore believes the incident should have resulted in a penalty rather than the game continuing without punishment.
For Aberdeen, the frustration will be that the decision came during a match in which a single moment could have changed the outcome.
Had Rangers been awarded a penalty, they would have had an opportunity to take the lead before Naderi eventually scored in the closing stages.
Instead, the appeal was dismissed, leaving Aberdeen to continue defending against a Rangers side searching for the decisive goal.
Rangers Also Escaped a Red Card Decision Against James Penrice
Interestingly, the penalty controversy was not the only major refereeing decision questioned after the match.
Former PGMOL chief Hackett also delivered a brutal assessment of James Penrice’s challenge on Aberdeen midfielder Afeez Aremu.
Penrice escaped without even receiving a yellow card despite making a dangerous challenge, but Hackett insisted the Rangers defender should have been sent off.
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?”
The two incidents have therefore left Lee and Beaton facing criticism from Hackett over decisions that went against Aberdeen.
One involved a potential red card for Rangers, while the other concerned a penalty appeal that the former refereeing chief believes should have been successful.
Ryan Naderi’s Winner Sends Rangers Into the Final
Despite the controversy, Rangers eventually found a way through.
With the match approaching its closing stages, Naderi scored in the 83rd minute after redirecting James Penrice’s effort from close range.
The goal secured a 1-0 victory and booked Rangers’ place in the Premier Sports Cup final on December 13, where they will face either Hearts or Hibernian.
For Aberdeen, the disappointment will be difficult to separate from the disputed decisions that have emerged since the match.
Hackett’s comments have added another layer to the debate, particularly because he believes the officials missed an opportunity to award a penalty that could have dramatically changed the semi-final.
Rangers are through to the final, but the questions surrounding the Mouloua handball and Beaton’s decision not to intervene are unlikely to disappear quickly.
Nafisa
