Hearts star Igor Rossi has accused John Beaton of giving into Sevco pressure to disallow a ‘goal’ for his side at Ibrox on Saturday.
With the scores level it appeared as if the visitors had drawn level in the 16th minute when Don Cowie netted from close range.
Cowie was joined by his team-mates to celebrate the goal but nine seconds later linesman Stuart Stevenson raised his flag and the goal was disallowed.
“I don’t know why it [the flag] took so long,” Rossi told The Scotsman. “About 10 or 15 seconds after the goal was given, he gave in to the Rangers pressure and gave it offside.
“If it goes to 1-0, then it is another game. I looked at it afterwards on the video and, for me, it wasn’t offside. After Rangers got the opening goal [in 29 minutes] at their home ground in front of these fans, it becomes so much more difficult.”
It’s not the first time this season that Beaton has been involved in controversy.
On the opening day of the season he awarded Hearts a penalty against Celtic with Jamie Walker hit with a retrospective two match ban for simulation.
Last month Beaton and his assistant failed to award Motherwell a goal at Dens Park despite home keeper Dave Mitchell appearing to drop the ball behind the goal line.
Mark McGhee was given a two match touchline ban for protesting that decision.
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