It is the same Laws of the Game but how referees apply them can be very different.
When Nir Bitton wrestled Alfredo Morelos to the ground in the first match of 2021 most Celtic fans knew what was coming next.
Stretching it the incident took place wide of the penalty box, the striker had never scored against Celtic but most fans knew it was a red card and Bitton had let his side down. Madden produced a red card, with some glee.
Spot the difference…
Notice how quickly Madden brings out a STRAIGHT red for Bitton & the instant waving of the flag by the linesman.
A worse scenario for Sands, but the ref acts like there was nothing to see and the 4th official said he didn’t see enough.
Shocking! pic.twitter.com/T5SQrf8vIq
— Hun-Occhio (@Hun_Occhio) August 28, 2022
A similar situation happened at Ibrox on Saturday with the added ingredient that Don Robertson had booked James Sands six minutes earlier for a fairly similar offence.
Second time around there was no Connor Goldson providing cover, Sands was again caught on the wrongside of an opponent and brought him to the ground with a grab around the waist.
Robertson saw it clearly but lacked the enthusiasm of Madden. Instead he shook his head, raised his arms as if to say ‘You know I can’t send him off’ and played on. The home side won 4-0, picked up their win bonus, Ross County lost out and Robertson ensured continued top level appointments and match fees.
We have known for many a year that scottish refs are corrupt & favour the gargoyles from govan,the actions of the ref on Saturday more than prove that
Exactly Michael. We all know it but not enough people are doing anything about it.
I’m hoping VAR will change things but, ex referees will make the final decisions for VAR!
Madden is a hun. Nothing more to say about it.
What do you expect!!!!!
The baldy one is away hiding doon in England and we all know why = prick. The other??? Well with a name like that he can only be a hun
Never changes. We all know who picks the referees the same lot that picks the Scotland manager and it’s obvious they are told who they can pick. Look at the Lisbon lions how many of them got Scotland caps. Rangers players always in the team. Danny McGrain was voted the best right back in the world yet Scotland played him at left back to accommodate the rangers captain
Known for Years how referees it are in the back pocket of the Ibrox CLAN