Bobby Madden likes to think of himself as a trend-setter, a referee with a grasp of the game and the various developments.
Along with Willie Collum he is the only Scottish referee to be given Champions League matches although the lack of VAR domestically will soon see that lucrative sideline come to a halt.
At the start of this season there was a lot of attention given to a change in rules for handball in the penalty box. Madden was chosen to front things up for the SFA, he claimed that he expected much more penalties to be awarded.
Thought I had tweeted this yesterday was wondering why no response. Madden is 10 yards away and looking directly at it..Celtic scored a minute later so wasnt highlighted much…honest mistake… @ThomasTambo @Celtic_Vines pic.twitter.com/b47gN7KsQo
— Ayewell@Govan (@theoldgovanarm1) November 3, 2019
Was at an SFA briefing in summer where Bobby Madden explained the new handball rule.
Has clearly forgotten it already.
— stephen.mcgowan (@mcgowan_stephen) November 2, 2019
Yesterday at Hampden there was a clear handball with the scores tied at 0-0, Madden saw it clearly and decided not to point to the penalty spot.
It was a clear penalty, old school, it didn’t require VAR or any new interpretation. As the corner came in from Mo Elyounoussi, Paul Hanlon tracked Kris Ajer’s run to the front post, when the ball went past the Celtic defender Hanlon lifted his left arm up to block the ball in clear view of Madden.
Celtic scored soon after and went on to win comfortable, there will be no fuss, Madden has got off with one.
With no accountability or transparency, the man from East Kilbride will continue to enjoy the big match appointments and match fees. Younger referees take a lead from those at the top of the tree, if Madden can do it they too know that glaring errors against Celtic won’t do your career any harm.
A year after ‘missing’ Josh Meekings’ handball from a Leigh Griffiths header in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup Steven McLean was put in charge of the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.
