Zhipan Sport

Referee told McGinn penalty denied as ball going out of play

Jun 21, 09:14 PM

John McGinn's brother Stephen reveals referee Ilgiz Tantashev explained the penalty claim was turned down because the ball was going out of play.

In a friendly match between Scotland and Morocco, a controversial decision became the center of attention. John McGinn went down in the box, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev did not award a penalty. After the match, McGinn's brother Stephen revealed that the referee told McGinn the penalty was denied because the ball was going out of play before the contact. This explanation sparked widespread debate. Replays showed the ball was indeed heading out, but McGinn believed there was a foul by the defender. Scotland manager Steve Clarke respected the decision but emphasized the team should focus more on the game itself. McGinn himself did not comment publicly, but Stephen said his brother was disappointed with the call. Scottish fans expressed dissatisfaction on social media, questioning the consistency of officiating. Scotland lost the match 0-1, with Morocco scoring from a penalty. McGinn's missed penalty opportunity was a turning point; a different decision could have changed the outcome. FIFA's refereeing committee pays attention to such controversies, highlighting the role of VAR in key decisions. VAR was not used in this match, leaving the call unreviewable. Scotland now prepares for European Championship qualifiers, and Clarke hopes the team learns from the defeat. McGinn, as a key player, needs to adjust his mindset for upcoming challenges. Morocco coach Regragui expressed satisfaction with the decision, believing his team deserved the win. The teams shook hands after the match, but the controversy lingered. In football, referees' split-second decisions often become focal points. Tantashev's explanation, though reasonable, failed to quell doubts. In the future, technology-assisted officiating may become the norm.