REASON WHY PENALTY WAS’NT GIVEN DESPITE HE FOULED HIM HAS LEFT EVERYONE FURIOUS —SPFL RELEASES SHOCKING STATEMENT

Scottish football has always been a battleground of intensity, drama, and controversy, but what unfolded at Ibrox after a 1–1 draw between Rangers and Hibernian has sparked outrage far beyond the final whistle. Supporters have blasted refereeing standards, questioned VAR procedures, and demanded accountability from the authorities after a moment that many fans are calling “one of the clearest penalties of the season.”

The incident occurred late in the second half as a Rangers attacker surged into the penalty area, with a Hibernian defender tracking closely behind him. What happened next has now been shared thousands of times on social media, dissected by pundits, slowed down frame by frame by analysts, and debated endlessly on radio shows. In the footage, the Hibs defender clearly wraps his arm across the Rangers player, making heavy contact while tugging his shoulder backward. The Rangers player’s arms go up, body twists, and momentum stops — a moment that would look like a foul anywhere else on the pitch.

And yet, despite the apparent contact, no penalty was awarded.

The referee immediately waved play on, and VAR did not intervene. Seconds passed, players screamed, fans roared, and commentators gasped. That moment, frozen in time, became the headline of a Scottish football weekend dominated by rage, confusion, and distrust.

RAW EMOTION ON THE PITCH AND IN THE STANDS

When supporters saw the replay on the stadium screen, the reaction was immediate. Rangers fans erupted into boos, chanting at the officials, while even neutral viewers could not understand what they were seeing. The slow-motion footage showed what appeared to be a clear foul, the defender’s arm around the neck and shoulder of the Rangers player, dragging him away from the ball inside the eighteen-yard box.

The Rangers player appealed instantly, shouting at the referee, hands in the air in disbelief. The Hibs defender walked away like nothing happened. The official just pointed to keep the game moving.

A moment later, social media exploded.

Tweets began pouring in from pundits, former referees, supporters, and rival fans alike. Words like “disgrace,” “robbery,” and “corruption” started trending, with football discussion channels filling up with the same burning question:

How on earth is that not a penalty?

THE MATCH ENDS, THE CONTROVERSY BEGINS

The game ended 1–1, but the football itself suddenly felt irrelevant. Every discussion became focused on a single moment — a moment many believe changed the outcome of the match.

Rangers had pushed hard for a winner, dominating possession in the final minutes. A penalty could have completely flipped the scoreline and changed the narrative of the match. Instead, they were forced to accept a draw, knowing full well they might have been denied three points by officiating inconsistency.

Journalists in the press room quietly prepared their questions. Rangers fans were already angry, but things reached a boiling point after the SPFL decided to issue a formal statement within 24 hours.

THE SPFL STATEMENT — AND THE REASON NO PENALTY WAS AWARDED

By midday Monday, the SPFL released a statement attempting to justify the decision that has left supporters speechless. In the statement, league officials claimed:

“There was insufficient evidence to deem the contact a clear and obvious penalty offense. While there was physical interaction, the VAR officials determined the defender was attempting to play the ball and that the attacker initiated part of the movement.”

That explanation was all it took to ignite a war of opinion.

According to the SPFL, the referee did not make a “clear and obvious error,” which meant VAR felt it could not overturn the decision. They concluded that both players were engaged in “mutual contact,” meaning both had arms raised and positional tussling was part of the motion.

The league also insisted that incidents of shoulder contact and upper-body clashes are “common” in modern football, adding:

“Only deliberate actions designed to impede without making a play on the ball should be penalised.”

To fans, this felt like an insult rather than a clarification.

Many supporters believe this explanation only highlighted the inconsistency of refereeing in Scotland. If that same type of contact happened at midfield, almost everyone agrees it would have been called a foul immediately. So what makes it different inside the box?

That question has ignited furious debate all week long.

PUNDITS AND FORMER PLAYERS WEIGH IN

Football talk shows across Scotland wasted no time taking on the subject. Former players, coaches, and referees all gave their opinion, and the analysis was brutal.

A former SPFL referee said on air:

“If that’s not a penalty, then I genuinely don’t know what is anymore.”

A former Rangers player commented:

“That is a foul in Sunday league football. You can’t have an arm across someone’s throat and call it accidental movement.”

Even some Hibernian supporters admitted the decision was “lucky,” while others claimed it was just part of the physical nature of football.

But the overwhelming sentiment was outrage — not because the match ended 1–1, but because fans are losing faith in the idea of fairness.

THE BIGGER ISSUE — VAR AND INCONSISTENCY

What really makes this moment explode beyond one game is the ongoing issue fans have with VAR in Scotland. Since its introduction, supporters have complained that:

• VAR is slow
• VAR ignores obvious fouls
• VAR intervenes on minor offenses but not major ones
• VAR decisions lack transparency

This incident was a perfect storm.

Clear contact?

Yes.

Inside the box?

Yes.

Referee unsure?

Yes.

So why was VAR quiet? Why did nobody even go to the monitor?

The SPFL statement did little to calm nerves, as many supporters believe VAR is becoming a selective tool rather than a consistent system.

HOW BOTH CLUBS REACTED AFTER THE MATCH

Rangers players were visibly unhappy with the decision after the game. While no official from the club directly criticized the referee — likely because of disciplinary rules — it was clear from post-match interviews that frustration was boiling under the surface.

One Rangers squad member said:

“We just have to accept it and move on, but it’s hard when decisions like that go against you.”

On the Hibernian side, there was quiet relief. Their manager praised the defensive resilience late in the game and said nothing controversial, but the silence was telling. Sometimes silence speaks louder than argument.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT — WILL THERE BE REFORM?

In the wake of furious reaction from fans, pundits, and social media, the SPFL has promised to “review refereeing protocols” — something supporters have heard time and time again.

Will that review actually change anything? Time will tell.

But one thing is certain: Scottish football cannot keep having these decisions dominate headlines instead of the quality of play.

The result will remain 1–1, the points will remain shared, but the bitterness will linger. What should have been remembered as an evenly balanced contest has become another example of refereeing inconsistency. Fans are asking for fairness, clarity, and transparency — and after this incident, their voices are louder than ever.