Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell is satisfied that Rangers’ third goal in their 4-2 Fir Park win was onside – but says the decision has to be consistent from now on.
And Kettlewell says if Kevin van Veen or any of his other forwards are in a similar situation against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday, he expects to be given the decision.
Controversy raged when Fashion Sakala was in a suspiciously offside position in the build-up to Todd Cantwell’s goal to put the Ibrox side 3-2 ahead on March 18.
Kettlewell sought clarity from referees chief Crawford Allan during the international break and was told that if VAR lines are touching, the benefit of the doubt goes to the attacker.
“Just my understanding of it, if we go specific to the incident you’re talking about is if those lines are touching, then the advantage goes to the attacker,” said Kettlewell.
“I’m pretty clear on that now, but if that’s how it’s going to be, I would expect if we go to Easter Road on Saturday and the lines are touching, as drawn on the screen, if our attacker is the one that’s in front of the defender [they get the advantage].
“I’m old-school, I just think in any way if the attacker is ahead of the defender – whether it’s a millimetre or an inch – then it makes him offside.
“But I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that if these lines are touching and the attacker is ahead, then the advantage goes to the attacker.
“If that falls on Saturday, and it’s one of our forward guys, then I fully expect us to be given that advantage in that situation.”
Kettlewell says he’s happy to be corrected on the matter.
He said: “I can only take the word of the powers that be, and I have got respect for these guys.
“That’s what I will now work off of from that.
“I did question that decision, post-match, and it’s where I stick my hands up and say, by all accounts, that Fashion Sakala should be waved onside and the goal should count.
“I sought that clarity with Crawford Allan, he’s made me aware of a couple of things, which I accept.
“I still have a couple of question marks, just purely from my opinion and being a person involved in football.
“I felt I was very respectful, and the staff were very respectful to VAR, but there was confusion, and maybe not quite understanding why certain decisions came about.
“But it was a pretty amicable conversation and I’m fairly happy wth the outcome.”
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