Alex Schalk and Don Robertson created the biggest refereeing outcry in two years today when Ross County drew 2-2 with Celtic.
With Celtic leading 2-1 in the closing minutes Schalk decided to take an outrageous dive in the penalty box with Erik Sviatchenko at least a yard away from the substitute.
Without any hesitation on even a word with his assistant that also had a perfect view of the ‘incident’ Roberson pointed to the penalty spot. Liam Boyce scored what proved to be the equaliser.
Schalk did what many professional players would do, he tried to earn his team an advantage. Robertson bought it.
Any referee with a feel for the game, with a knowledge of what goes on or with eyes that function reasonably would have spotted it easily. Yellow card for Schalk.
Every player in a match refereed by Robertson will now know that it is worth taking a chance with a dive- even if your opponent is a yard away.
shocker of a decision pic.twitter.com/3xH554UNPu
— CelticGoals (@CelticGoals) April 16, 2017
Today’s refereeing error won’t deny Celtic a trophy- unlike Steven McLean- in 2015 in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Inverness Caley Thistle.
If Robertson’s career isn’t stopped in it’s tracks the benchmark has been set that anything goes.