Kenny Dalglish expressed his anger and bewilderment over what he saw to be unfair treatment of Celtic following their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Feyenoord.
However, Dalglish is sure that the officiating by Bosnian referee Irfan Peljto was incorrect, particularly with regard to the penalty handed against Gustaf Lagerbielke. Brendan Rodgers’ team found themselves dealing with the fallout of a difficult defeat in Rotterdam.
Dalglish admits that the decision to dismiss Odin Holm was appropriate, but he finds it difficult to understand and accept the “scandalous” dismissal of Lagerbielke, especially in light of the fact that VAR supported the referee’s call. According to Dalglish, Celtic made things difficult for themselves on Tuesday night when they lost 2-0 at Feyenoord in the Champions League, as reported by RecordSport. However, I also believed that the match officials and Bosnian referee Irfan Pelito mistreated them.
“In Rotterdam, it was disgraceful for Peljto to penalize the Parkhead team for Gustaf Lagerbielke’s challenge on Igor Paixao. He also issued a booking to the Swedish defender, which reduced the number of players for the Hoops.
Despite Calvin Steng’s free-kick goal just before halftime and Joe Hart’s successful penalty save, the game was declared over when Odin Holm was given a direct red card for his challenge on Mats Wieffer.
“Celtic had just given up a goal to Calvin Steng’s free-kick on the brink of halftime when Joe Hart saved the penalty to keep them in the game at that point. But when Odin Holm received a straight red for a tackle on Mats Wieffer, the game was gone as a battle.
“With only nine men left, the Celts were doomed to failure. That call was made correctly by the referee. However, that cannot change his earlier decision regarding Lagerbielke, according to Dalglish.
He criticized the level of officiating in UEFA’s top competition, arguing that many referees lacked the expertise necessary for such crucial games.
It wasn’t a fine or a booking, either. Given that it is UEFA’s premier event, the refereeing quality is inadequate. There are far too many low-quality officials in charge of that kind of competition.
“They are damaging it and depriving clubs of rewards points and money. The VAR should have been utilized to assist the referee in the Champions League as well.
Dalglish praised Brendan Rodgers for being composed following the game and refraining from criticizing the referee’s conduct harsher, adding, “I think Brendan Rodgers showed admirable discipline at full-time not to be more critical of
