Hibs denied penalty as Nick Walsh Rangers call WRONG over James Sands handball, says ex SPFL ref.

VAR officer Alan Muir failed to bring the situation to the notice of referee Walsh.

Hibernian’should have’ received a penalty against Rangers.

Des Roache, a former SPFL referee, has chimed in on the dispute around the judgment.Hibs supporters were dissatisfied with referee Nick Walsh’s decision not to call a penalty after the ball struck James Sands’ arm in the area during Rangers’ 3-2 triumph at Ibrox. VAR official Alan Muir also failed to alert Walsh to the incident.

Malik Tillman’s clearing soared into the air and struck Sands on the arm after he failed to head the ball clear. The Rangers defender under pressure from Kevin Nisbet, and the Hibs striker’s presence might be considered a mitigating circumstance under IFAB guidelines.

Roache told the Scottish Sun that the event was not a handball since he was attempting to keep his sight on the ball and play it when it touched him.

“But, as we’ve seen multiple times this year, intent to play the ball is no longer a legal requirement, and the rule stipulates that if the ball impacts your hand or arm, you may face a penalty.

“We’ve seen them delivered. We witnessed one at Celtic against Dundee United, when Alessandro Bernabei leaped to head the ball, and the penalty was awarded.

“Yes, the ball hit [Sands] last night and was below the ‘T-shirt line’, but play was permitted to continue and no penalties were imposed.

“The consensus conclusion from the guys I’ve spoken to – my ex-colleagues all agree – is that under the present operating guidelines, Hibernian should have received a penalty kick.

“The big frustration for me at the moment is the inconsistency of the application of the laws and the interpretation.”

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