Ex-FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg delivers firm verdict on two Reo Hatate Celtic Park penalty flashpoints
Former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg has delivered his verdict on two penalty incidents involving Celtic star Reo Hatate against Livingston.
Hatate conceded a penalty after he hacked down Livingston player Robbie Muirhead as he defended a corner in Celtic’s penalty box.
The Japanese midfielder then appeared to handle the ball just before the full time whistle blew as Livingston players ‘furiously’ protested the Celtic Park referee.
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But here, Clattenburg delivers his verdict on both penalty incidents as the former FIFA referee delivers his firm verdict on both Celtic Park penalty controversies.
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Clattenburg in no doubt about ‘certain’ Celtic Park Livingston penalty decision
Whenever there are dubious decisions made involving Celtic, Clattenburg delivers a no-nonsense verdict as a former referee with no skin in the Scottish game.
But for Livingston’s penalty award, the former FIFA man was in no doubt that this was the correct call.
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 throws out Livingston’s furious Celtic penalty claim
Livingston thought they may have had another claim for a penalty in the dying minutes of the game after Hatate appeared to handle the ball in the Celtic penalty box.
Clattenburg was simply not having it as he explained clearly why giving a penalty for this incident would have been wrong.
The ex-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, failed to produce the goods when his Celtic team needed him, although he did produce two controversial moments that could have cost the Bhoys crucial Scottish Premiership points.
The Japan midfielder is really struggling this season and if his poor form continues, not only could Hatate see himself drop out of the Celtic team altogether, his World Cup dream with Japan could be in jeopardy if he doesn’t start to pull his socks up.
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