“The ref told me that…..” Jame Tavernier revealed what referee told him after Rangers penalty appeal Vs Bilbao
James Tavernier Reveals Referee’s Explanation After Rangers’ Penalty Claim Denied Against Athletic Club
James Tavernier has shared what referee Irfan Pjelto told him following Rangers’ unsuccessful penalty appeal during their Europa League clash with Athletic Club.
The Glasgow side exited the competition at the quarter-final stage after a 2-0 defeat to the Spanish outfit.
The controversy came in the first half with the score still level at 0-0. Cyriel Dessers appeared to be dragged down in the box by Daniel Vivian, who pulled on his shirt.
Despite visible damage to Dessers’ top, referee Pjelto chose not to award a penalty. Tavernier later revealed the official’s reasoning: “He said there was little in it,” the Rangers captain told TNT Sports. “But you saw his top, and it was ripped. Sometimes those decisions go for you, sometimes they don’t. I’ve got to credit the boys for the energy they gave out there.”
Rangers legend Ally McCoist felt the decision was clear-cut: “That’s a penalty,” he said on TNT Sports. “Dessers has every right to feel hard done by. I don’t know how that’s not given. It’s embarrassing—an absolute embarrassment.”
Former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst echoed the frustration: “He’s getting pulled, his shirt is damaged. That’s a penalty. I’d really like to hear the explanation for why it wasn’t given.”
Rangers will now shift their focus to domestic competition, with a trip to St Mirren coming up next Saturday in their first post-split Premiership fixture.
