Former Rangers figures Ally McCoist and Steven Gerrard took a subtle swipe at Celtic during the FA Cup final broadcast, mocking a controversial penalty decision that benefited the Hoops earlier in the week.
The incident in question occurred during Celtic’s recent match against Motherwell.
Deep into stoppage time, a VAR review resulted in a penalty for Celtic after Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson was judged to have handled the ball. Kelechi Iheanacho scored the subsequent spot kick to secure a 3-2 win, keeping Celtic’s title hopes alive. The Hoops ultimately clinched the championship over the weekend with a 3-1 victory against Hearts at Parkhead, but the penalty call has faced heavy global media criticism.
McCoist had already been vocal about his displeasure, stating on TalkSPORT that the decision tarnished the reputation of Scottish football. He renewed his criticism while on commentary duty for TNT Sports during Manchester City’s 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.
FA Cup Incident Sparks Rangers Icons’ Commentary Digs
The opportunity for a jab arose when Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez hit the ball against the arm of Manchester City defender Nico O’Reilly. Because the defender’s arm was held tight against his body, the penalty appeals were minimal.
Lead commentator Darren Fletcher noted that if a penalty were given for such an incident, everyone might as well go home.
McCoist quickly chimed in, quipping that such a call would happen in the “wrong country.”
Gerrard reacted by noting that McCoist simply could not resist making the comment. After McCoist offered a sarcastic apology for the joke, the former Rangers manager agreed with his co-commentator’s sentiment.
McCoist had previously claimed the refereeing decision made Scottish football a laughing stock, suggesting that the match referee had faced past negative encounters with Celtic supporters.
SFA Issues Statement After Referee Targets
The referee for the Motherwell fixture, John Beaton, made the final penalty call after being instructed to view the pitchside monitor by VAR official Andrew Dallas. Following the match, Beaton’s personal information was leaked online, resulting in the referee requiring police protection. Authorities have since arrested a 19-year-old male regarding the data breach.
The Scottish Football Association released a statement condemning the behavior, labeling the online vigilantism as a stain on the sport. The SFA thanked Police Scotland for their quick action and urged pundits, clubs, and fans to reflect on how exaggerated opinions and inflammatory posts contribute to a dangerous environment of intimidation and fear.