Keith Hackett shares verdict on key penalty controversy in Celtic vs Hearts

Don Robertson and VAR were correct to award Celtic a first-half penalty during a key clash against Hearts at Celtic Park.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Alexandros Kyziridis’ sliding challenge fulfilled the criteria for punishable handball.

Lawrence Shankland had silenced most of Celtic Park on Saturday, 16 May, when heading home the opener in the 43rd minute, only for the Jambos to be pegged back six minutes later.

Kyziridis attempted to block a cross, but the ball struck Hearts’ No.89 on the arm, and Robertson had no other choice but to point to the penalty spot; at least, that’s what Hackett believes.

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Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The match officials have called this one correctly. I have written on numerous occasions that the handball law offers too much subjectivity in the decision-making process.

“The referee has to ask himself, ‘Is the body shape bigger?’ and ‘Was there movement of the hand towards the ball?’.

“The referee judged that the hand was in an unnatural position and there was certainly movement of the hand to the ball. Albeit the defender was moving to close the attacker down.

🗣️ “There will be people going off their heads at that award, but it’s a penalty kick.”

James McFadden, Scott Brown and John Robertson analyse the first-half action, including the Hoops’ penalty incident ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/yb1XJi0y8d

“It’s a good decision by the officials, in my opinion, to award the penalty kick.”

While Hackett agreed with this decision, it was far from a perfect performance from the official, with both sets of supporters left frustrated before absolute jubilation for the home fans in the final minutes.

Despite such a huge game, Robertson tried his best to keep his cards in his pocket, allowing both Alistair Johnston and Callum McGregor to get away with incidents before eventually having their name taken.

The official’s handling of Beni Baningime’s injury was far from ideal as well. After appearing to pull his hamstring, Kelechi Iheanacho stopped play, allowing the medical staff to come onto the pitch.

It was clear that the midfielder needed replacing, and the referee should have ushered him off the pitch at the closest point, rather than letting him cross the pitch. He didn’t, and Celtic fans let their feelings known.