The Celtic penalty tonight.

[Archiebaird]

When is it?

I reckon it will be 24th minute.

Definitely first half.

[AguyIknow]

If it's a shocking decision I hope whoever they're playing writes to the SFA/SPFL and demands an explanation from the ref.

The quicker incompetent refs get punished with suspensions the quicker those officiating at games will have to improve.

[swaddon]

A disgraceful decision to award a penalty.

Especially as the game hasn't kicked off yet.

[DeezAreGood]

How about the ref giving Celtic an advantage, then when the advantage breaks down, gives them a freekick? Which they score from. No complaints to the SFA this time.

[AguyIknow]

Maybe I'm rustier on the rules than I thought but if advantage doesn't acrue then it's not advantage and a free can be awarded. It's not as though the refs always blow the exact split second a foul is committed.

I know it's anathema here but I actually think the rugby union refs are onto a good thing whereby they play advantage but subsequently shout "advantage over", and everyone knows where they stand.

[DeezAreGood]

what's meant to happen, the team with the advantage have to be allowed to score, or it gets pulled back?

[AguyIknow]

Not at all - the team with the advantage are to be allowed do at least as good as they would if a free kick is awarded.

The problem imho with playing advantage arises from just how long the ref is willing to let things go before he decides whether or not advantage acrues. One fraction of a second isn't enough, one minute is far too long. So the ideal is somewhere in between.

I would suggest that a ref give just a few seconds and then (as in rugby) shout "advantage over", that would clear up much of the confusion.