As he likes to do, Willie Collum was at the centre of attention after today’s Glasgow Derby.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw but with Celtic leading 1-0 the Lanarkshire based referee made a decision which effected the outcome of the game.
The ball fell to Odsonne Edouard in front of goal but as it dropped his way Borna Barasic came lunging in with a reckless challenge that he had no control over. Edouard moved swiftly to get out of harm’s way and may have taken a slight touch from the defender’s flying boot.
The Laws of the Game state:
PLAYING IN A DANGEROUS MANNER
Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.
The extent of contact can be argued over but there is no doubt that it was a dangerous lunge from Barasic. The very scenario is outlined in the rule above.
Not only did Collum not award a penalty he booked Edouard. Celtic were denied the chance to take a 2-0 lead, before half-time the match was level at 1-1 which was the final scoreline.
In 33 SPFL Premiership matches Gerrard’s side have yet to concede a penalty or have a player sent off.
Stonewall penalty!!! Not even a tackle, it’s a lunge!! pic.twitter.com/sTyKG9taqR
— Michael McCahill ? (@MickMcCahill) March 21, 2021
Stonewall penalty
— Celtic_bhoy_1888 (@1888_Celticbhoy) March 21, 2021
I say it’s a penalty.
The rules say it’s a penalty.Scottish referees…. Free kick to Rangers pic.twitter.com/B85b2PIkWT
— Frankity Frank (@gIaikit) March 21, 2021
Mike even if there was no contact – how could the ref not see the lunge, in today’s game you just can’t lunge into a challenge like that in your box. Ref completely missed it. But @ScottishFA Refs !!!! ?
— Peter Thompson (Tommo) (@peader1973) March 21, 2021
Penalty all day long. Lunges in and makes contact with his foot, when your feet are as fast as Eddie’s your not staying on your feet.
— Patismaximus (@Patismaximus1) March 21, 2021
As I said….willie collum will cost us …..and did
— Robert Paterson? (@madbhoab) March 21, 2021
Willie Collum absolute bottle merchant yet again
— Gino Ginelli (@MarinoGiorgetti) March 21, 2021
Willie Collum a despicable coward who would have awarded the penalty at the other end.
At 2 0 game done.
Well played Celtic.— JS. (@ExCathedra44) March 21, 2021
