MusaFormer FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg has given his assessment on two penalty flashpoints involving Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate against Livingston.
Hatate gave away a spot-kick after bringing down Livingston’s Robbie Muirhead while attempting to defend a corner inside Celtic’s area.
The Japanese international was then suspected of handling the ball shortly before the final whistle, prompting Livingston players to ‘furiously’ appeal to the referee at Celtic Park.
Here, Clattenburg shares his view on both moments as the former FIFA official offers a decisive opinion on the two Celtic Park penalty controversies.
Clattenburg certain over ‘clear’ Celtic Park Livingston penalty decision:
Whenever contentious calls arise involving Celtic, Clattenburg is quick to provide a straight-talking judgment as a former referee with no vested interest in Scottish football.
Regarding Livingston’s awarded penalty, the ex-FIFA official was adamant that the referee made the correct decision.
Clattenburg exclusively told 67 Hail Hail, “The ball comes towards Reo Hatate of Celtic after a cross inside the penalty area when Livingston’s Robbie Muirhead gets ahead of him to the ball while kicking through and catching his opponent on the leg.
“It’s a certain penalty and the player’s reactions and a lack of protests backs that argument.”
Clattenburg dismisses Livingston’s angry Celtic penalty appeal:
Livingston believed they had grounds for another penalty late in the match after Hatate seemed to handle the ball inside the Celtic box.
Clattenburg, however, rejected that claim outright, outlining why awarding a penalty would have been incorrect.
The former referee said, “In the final moments of the match, the ball does touch the arm of Reo Hatate as the ball bounces in the penalty area.
“This is not a penalty kick as the arms are in a natural position and does not make his body bigger and also does not make a movement to the ball.
“The referee and VAR were right to ignore the protests of the Livingston players.”
Hatate once again struggled to make a decisive impact when Celtic required it most, though he was at the centre of two contentious moments that might have cost the Bhoys valuable Scottish Premiership points.
The Japan international has found this campaign challenging and, if his dip in form continues, Hatate could risk losing his place in the Celtic side altogether — and potentially jeopardise his World Cup ambitions with Japan unless he raises his performance levels.
Musa
