Chris Sutton SLAMS ’embarrassing’ decision to award Fabio Silva’s controversial penalty in the Old Firm Derby – after the Wolves loanee was initially given a yellow card for a dive
- Rangers welcomed Celtic to Ibrox in the teams’ third meeting in the competition
- Celtic led their rivals by one point as they sought their third straight title
- Ally McCoist’s comments before the Old Firm were reckless and irresponsible, says CHRIS SUTTON – It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Chris Sutton has slammed the decision to award Rangers a penalty in the Old Firm Derby after it was initially stated that Fabio Silva had dived and been shown a yellow card.
The Wolves loanee, who had drawn the ire of Sutton for his theatrics throughout the match, fell to Greg Taylor’s challenge midway through the second half.
Referee John Beaton immediately waved a yellow card for simulation, but was then instructed by the VAR to review the incident on the field monitor.
After being given another chance to see the action, he reversed his decision and gave the home side a route back to the tie, which they took, with James Tavernier’s confident penalty.
Sutton branded the call ’embarrassing’ after saying Silva’s fall to the ground was an example of ‘blatant cheating’.
Fabio Silva was initially shown a yellow card by referee John Beaton (left), before the decision was overturned
Chris Sutton disagreed with the penalty being awarded against his former team at Ibrox
“The more you see it, the more you see he’s been diving,” Sutton added on Sky Sports.
Silva appeared to be on his way down before his thigh came into contact with Taylor’s swinging leg.
A few manic minutes followed in the charged game in which the home team thought they had equalized, but the match was then abandoned after a foul was noticed in the build-up.
Celtic had taken the lead after just 21 seconds thanks to Daizen Maeda’s bizarre goal before Matt O’Riley doubled the lead before half-time.
The home side will be hoping to overtake their arch-rivals at the top of the table in the final six games of the campaign.