Bobby Madden baffled as he reacts to Aberdeen v Rangers controversy at Pittodrie

John Souttar conceding a penalty for Rangers again Aberdeen left Bobby Madden non-plussed to whether the decision was correct or not.

The former FIFA referee posted on Instagram (30 October), stating that despite FIFA andUEFA trying to clear up the handball rule, the Gers’ first-half incident at Pittodrie was still a difficult one to judge.

A shot from the left-hand side ricocheted off Tom Lawrence’s hand into an off-balance Souttar’s, and although Jack Butland saved Jamie McGrath’s effort from 12 yards, Aberdeen went on to win 2-1.

Madden said: “You need to ask in the first instance, does the defender make themselves unnaturally bigger?

“Then, is the defenders arm position a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation?

“Finally, the ball strikes the first defender on the arm, which wasn’t punishable as it’s in a natural position. So, if we are aligned with England, does the deflection cause the ball to strike the next defenders arm?

“Good luck trying to work that out.”

Rangers hit with good and bad luck in seismic Aberdeen defeat

Light Blues fans will justifiably have been confused and angry after John Beaton pointed to the spot to penalise Souttar, but by the letter of the saw and replays available, he just about got the decision right.

It’s arguable that Lawrence could have been the player flagged up by the referee despite the seemingly natural position of his left arm, but Butland’s save bailed his team-mates out regardless..

Another slice of luck came Gers’ way as Beaton didn’t show a card to, or even blow for a foul against Leon Balogun, following his last-ditch 50-50 challenge on Ester Sokler, outraging the home fans.

Butland preventing his side from going 2-0 down in a one-sided first half at Pittodrie should have given The Gers an impetus to turn things around in the second period, and they briefly did just that.

However, Nedim Bajrami’s fine individual effort to equalise was merely a flash in the pan for the below-par Bears, and a 2-1 defeat leaves them nine points adrift of the Dons in a crisis of their own making

In other Rangers news, Kris Boyd has predicted what fans will do at Ibrox if the Light Blues’ form doesn’t improve quickly.

For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post Bobby Madden baffled as he reacts to Aberdeen v Rangers controversy at Pittodrie appeared first on Ibrox News.