James Penrice escaped a red card during Rangers' Premier Sports Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen, a decision that left former referees Bobby Madden and Mark Clattenburg stunned. The Rangers left-back, deployed in midfield, caught Aberdeen's Afeez Aremu high with his studs in the 30th minute, yet referee Lee Ryan did not even issue a yellow card.
Replays showed Penrice catching Aremu high on his sides with his studs after the Aberdeen player stayed down appearing to clutch his ribs. VAR John Beaton reviewed the incident but opted not to get involved, agreeing with Ryan's initial decision.
Former referees react to the challenge
Speaking on the So Near, Yet So Var podcast, Madden said: "It's high, so is that a normal footballing action? No, it's not. The ball is in and around that area but when the ball isn't played and you make that level of contact there – I actually think there's a very slight extension. So, I believe it is a red card."
Madden added: "We talk about on-off contact, endangering the safety, criteria. Playing the ball is not an excuse but sometimes it's a mitigation, but when you don't play the ball the bar essentially is lower. When you're making that contact, I don't think it's a footballing action, I'd expect a red card for serious foul play."
Clattenburg's Karate Kid comparison
Clattenburg, a former Premier League and Champions League referee, compared the challenge to a scene from the Karate Kid. He said: "I thought I was watching Karate Kid! If you look at it, the ball isn't really there. I think the player knows what he's doing. I think he's just decided he wants to catch his opponent high with his studs."
Clattenburg continued: "When you're playing the ball, when you're trying to play, you don't go in like that. You would go in with your body, you would go in with your knee. You don't go with your studs and make a clear movement with the studs towards the opponents rib. I was surprised it wasn't red, I've seen it in real time."
He concluded: "For me, like Bobby said, when it's not a footballing action, then can you never support a player's actions. When a referee gives red there, nobody can have any arguments."
