SFA’s KMI panel have ruled Hearts were denied penalty vs Rangers

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Hearts should have been awarded a penalty in their previous Premiership match against Rangers.

That’s according to the SFA’s KMI panel who have ruled upon the latest controversial decisions in Scotland’s top-flight after last weekend’s games.

Hearts lost 3-1 to Philippe Clement’s men as two own goals from Jamie McCart effectively handed Rangers an undeserved three points.

The Jambos took the game to Rangers and created far more opportunities – however, they lacked a clinical edge in attack despite Neil Critchley fielding three strikers.

With the score at 1-1 after 60 minutes, Hearts forward James Wilson went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Rangers centre-back Clinton Nsiala.

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KMI panel rule Hearts should have had penalty vs Rangers

Nsiala clearly had two hands on the back of Wilson but on-field referee John Beaton did not see a foul and play continued.

VAR did not intervene either and no request was given to Beaton for an on-field review of the controversial incident.

Now, three of the five-member KMI panel have declared that Hearts should have been awarded a penalty by Beaton, or at the very least, an on-field review should have been recommended by the VAR.

The note attached to the incident on the KMI document reads: “The panel discussed this decision at length with the majority (3:2) deeming the on-field decision incorrect.

“The majority (3:2) believed that VAR should have intervened and recommended an OFR for a possible penalty kick.”

What pundits said about Hearts penalty claim

Former Hearts and Rangers winger Neil McCann was on co-commentary duty covering the Tynecastle clash for Sky Sports.

And he believes the Jambos had a case. McCann said: “In hindsight, there’s two big hands on his back there. I thought it was shoulder to shoulder. But there is two big hands on his back.

“And what, 40 or 50 seconds later, the ball ends up in the back of the Hearts net, so they might have had a call there.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
7	KilmarnockKilmarnock	26	8	7	11	31	41	-10	31
8	MotherwellMotherwell	26	9	4	13	30	45	-15	31
9	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	26	8	6	12	35	36	-1	30
10	Ross CountyRoss County	26	7	8	11	27	47	-20	29

“VAR didn’t get involved so they must’ve thought that John Beaton’s on-field decision merited just being that and not being overruled.”

Chris Sutton argued: “There has to be sufficient contact for Wilson to hit the deck and I think he tries to buy that one. That’s not a penalty if that’s what you’re asking me.”

While James McFadden and Kris Boyd were also unconvinced, with the KMI panel now ruling by majority that it should have been properly reviewed by VAR.