Football
Little-known rule difference between Uefa and Fifa explains Scotland non-penalty
SCOTLAND fans still can’t understand why Stuart Armstrong wasn’t awarded a spot-kick for his tumble in the box against Hungary.
Steve Clarke slammed Argentinian ref Facundo Tello for ignoring the penalty pleas in a ref rant that has infuriated Euro 2024 organisers.
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And last night Sunsport exclusively revealed the officials at the centre of the row have been sent HOME – just days after ignoring Willi Orban‘s challenge on the midfielder.
But while Clarke didn’t challenge the referee at the time – controversially claiming he “probably doesn’t even speak the language” – questions still linger among the Tartan Army.
And their search for answers led them to former whistler – and Scotland fan in Germany – Bobby Madden.
He joined the swell of support in Stuttgart for the game and believed his side should have been awarded a penalty too.
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After much head scratching on his return journey from Germany he reckons he’s discovered the ‘only fathomable reason’ ropey ref Tello and his Spanish VAR assistants waved play-on.
And it’s all down to the difference between Uefa and Fifa.
Madden reckons the different interpretation of rules between Uefa and other associations could have cost Scotland – and the CONMEBOL official’s cross-continent move COULD have been to blame.
But he says we’ll NEVER get a definitive answer without hearing the ref and VAR reasoning.
Madden wrote his explainer on Instagram and said: “Been asked hundreds of times about this Stuart Armstrong penalty incident, but been a bit busy on my return from was a great trip to Stuttgart.
“For what it’s worth, I believe it’s 100% a penalty. The attacker is in control of the ball which is within playing distance, the defender is wrong side and makes significant contact on the calf of the attacker.
“So why was it not awarded? Live these situations can be tricky but with VAR in operation people find it difficult to understand why no review was recommended and penalty awarded.
“The only reason I can think of is the following: Fifa and Uefa have opposing considerations in various situations, and this would be one of them.
“Uefa’s approach is that the responsibility would be on the defender not to make contact with the attacker. In this instance the view would be that the attacker is protecting the ball and the defender makes careless contact from behind a penalty should be awarded.
“Fifa would coach officials at their tournaments that if an attacker deliberately moves their body between the ball and the defender to manufacture contact that no penalty should be awarded.
Cock-up duo ditched
UEFA have AXED the blundering Argentinian ref who ignored Scotland’s penalty claim against Hungary – AND his VAR.
Facundo Tello infuriated Steve Clarke by ignoring Willi Orban’s foul on Stuart Armstrong in Stuttgart – leading to a furious outburst from the Scotland boss.
But Sunsport understands SIX on the 19 refereeing teams have been sent home after being told they won’t officiate any further matches in the tournament – and that Tello and his assistants Gabriel Chade and Ezequiel Brailovsky are among them.
And Spanish sources were also last night reporting that Tello’s VAR Alejandro Hernandez has also been stood down for “not evaluating the play as indicated in the instructions” over the Armstrong incident.
In fact, Uefa felt Hernandez failed to intervene on TWO penalty-box incidents in the match.
As well as the Armstrong flashpoint, Uefa bosses believed Grant Hanley’s first-half elbow on Endre Botka could also have been interpreted as a penalty to the Hungarians.
“So you have two views, one that the attacker is protecting the ball, and another that considers the attackers action is away from the ball to create contact.
“Then you have to consider you have a referee from South America, who will very much follow the Fifa instructions, and one of Europe’s top VAR’s from Spain.
“The referee is positioned directly behind play and would see the attackers move to the left and must have considered that an attempt to create contact.
“If he has seen that from his position and communicated that clearly to the VAR, it would be very difficult for VAR to recommend an on field review.
“These differences in approach with Fifa/Uefa only encourage misinterpretations. This is the only fathomable reason I can give for a penalty not being awarded, and with no possibility of ever hearing the audio we will never know.”
His is a more reasoned explanation than raging Steve Clarke‘s outburst at full-time.
Asked in the immediate aftermath of the game, lost in the 98th minute, the boss was asked if he’d asked for an explanation himself.
But he blasted: “He’s from Argentina — why would I ask him?
“He probably doesn’t speak the language. I don’t know.
“Why is he here? Why is there not a European referee?”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Those comments infuriated Uefa top brass who have yet to decide whether to charge Clarke for the remarks.
The agreement between Uefa and Conmebol has seen Italian Maurizio Mariani at the Copa America, where he refereed the USA’s win over Bolivia.
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