Keith Hackett Weighs in on Celtic’s Dramatic Penalty Decision Against Dundee
The world of Scottish football was abuzz on January 14 as Celtic secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Dundee at Dens Park. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Celtic taking the lead twice only to be pegged back by the resilient Dundee side. However, it was the late penalty decision that stole the headlines, with Arne Engels stepping up to convert the 93rd-minute spot-kick and rescue a point for the visitors.
The penalty decision was made by referee Don Robertson, who deemed that Dundee’s Mo Sylla had deliberately raised his arm to block a shot inside the box. The decision was met with controversy, with some arguing that the contact was minimal and that Sylla’s arm was in a natural position.
However, former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett has weighed in on the debate, exclusively telling Football Insider that the penalty decision was justified. Hackett, who has extensive experience in refereeing and football governance, believes that Sylla’s raised arm constituted a deliberate attempt to stop the ball.
“The defending player has raised his arm and made his body shape bigger, and the referee ideally positioned rightly pointed to the penalty mark,” Hackett explained. “I do not see this arm position has part of natural movement. The position is aimed at stopping the cross. Penalty kick spot on.”
Hackett’s verdict will undoubtedly provide clarity on the incident, which has sparked intense debate among football fans and pundits. The decision to award Celtic a penalty was a crucial one, as it denied Dundee their first win over the Bhoys in 24 years.
The match itself was a thrilling encounter, with Celtic taking the lead twice only to be pegged back by Dundee. The home side eventually took the lead through Aaron Donnelly in the 78th minute, but Celtic’s late penalty decision ensured that the visitors would leave Dens Park with a share of the spoils.
In the aftermath of the match, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be relieved that his side managed to salvage a point from the game. However, he will also be aware that his team’s performance was far from convincing, and that they will need to improve if they are to maintain their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
As for Dundee, they will be left to rue what might have been, as they came agonizingly close to securing a historic win over Celtic. Despite the disappointment, they can take heart from their performance, which showed that they have the quality and resilience to compete with the best teams in Scottish football.
In conclusion, Keith Hackett’s verdict on the penalty decision provides clarity on a contentious issue, and highlights the importance of referees making accurate and decisive decisions in high-pressure situations. As the Scottish Premiership season continues to unfold, it will be fascinating to see how Celtic and Dundee respond to this dramatic encounter.
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