The Verdict: Should Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos have been awarded a penalty against Livingston?

Steven Davis played a lofted ball over the top for Alfredo Morelos who was clean through on goal against the onrushing Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek.

The Colombian striker took a touch past the goalie before he was brought down in the challenge and furious Rangers subsequently appealed for a penalty.

Referee John Beaton judged that Morelos had dived and the Ibrox frontman was shown a yellow card when he returned to his feet.

Steven Gerrard was then shown a red card at half-time for his protests as he branded Beaton “out of order”.

Gerrard let rip at the referee as he marched onto the field to confront him – with Beaton responding by flashing two yellow cards.

Gerrard was picked up by TV microphones ranting: “You were f****** bang wrong. You’re bang out of order.”

The Rule

A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13.

A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.

Law 12

A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

              •            charges

              •            jumps at

              •            kicks or attempts to kick

              •            pushes

              •            strikes or attempts to strike (including head-butt)

              •            tackles or challenges

              •            trips or attempts to trip

If an offence involves contact, it is penalised by a direct free kick.

              •            Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed

              •            Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned

              •            Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off

A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences:

              •            a handball offence (except for the goalkeeper within their penalty area)

              •            holds an opponent

              •            impedes an opponent with contact

              •            bites or spits at someone

              •            throws an object at the ball, an opponent or a match official, or makes contact with the ball with a held object

See also offences in Law 3.

The Verdict

Television replays clearly showed that Morelos was caught by the goalkeeper, which means that Rangers should have had a penalty. As law 12 states "a direct free kick (penalty in this case) is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: charges, jumps at, kicks or attempts to kick, pushes, strikes or attempts to strike (including head-butt), tackles or challenges, trips or attempts to trip". 

It is fair to say that goalkeeper Max Stryjek was reckless in his challenge on Morelos and should have received a yellow card for his actions.

Stryjek was the last man but denying a goal scoring opportunity is no longer a red card offence. Referees are to award the card that the challenge would merit were it to have taken place anywhere else on the field.

The rule also affects goalkeepers, who will no longer be sent off for bringing down a player as they lunge at his feet to collect the ball.