Cyriel Dessers Rangers penalty snub slammed after striker 'RUGBY tackled' by Dundee defender
Officials in the Rangers' clash with Dundee were accused of failing to spot a RUGBY TACKLE by Dundee defender Mohamed Sylla on Cyriel Dessers - before the Frenchman did concede a penalty with a similar challenge.
The Nigeria international appeared to be fouled in the first of the Light Blues Premier Sports Cup quarter final clash on their return to Ibrox Stadium. Dessers netted to put Philippe Clement's men in front before he complained of being fouled by Sylla at a set-piece before the break.
Michael Stewart on co-commentary for Premier Sports was in disbelief that neither referee Chris Graham or Alan Muir on VAR spotted it. Stewart said: "It looks as if the referee is looking right at it. Dessers is trying to move and Sylla is fortunate."
The Behind the Whistles podcast, run by former top refs Des Roache and Steve Conroy, tweeted about the incident and said: "Surprised the referee looking right to that thinks that's okay to play on. How can VAR not think that's clear and obvious. It's a rugby tackle. Another weekend where a referee makes a clear error that VAR failed to him correct. A clear and obvious error."
It seemed to be a tactic of Sylla's to stop Dessers as he did the same in the second half and was penalised on that occasion with the referee awarding a spot kick for James Tavernier to double the lead for the trophy holders.