Ex-Uefa official: Celtic victims of ‘big’ injustice as controversial Liel Abada footage emerges
Abada #Abada
Celtic should have had a penalty in their 2-1 win over Motherwell last weekend (2 October), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Motherwell’s Ricki Lamie handled the ball from a Liel Abada cross.
As shown on the highlights posted to the SPFL’s YouTube channel, Abada attempted a floating cross from the edge of the area but it was blocked by Lamie.
The 29-year-old was only a couple of yards from the cross but appeared to stick out his right arm to stop the ball.
Referee John Beaton was placed on the edge of the penalty area with a clear view but decided to wave play on as only Abada appealed for a spot-kick.
“I thought this was a handball,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“This is where the ball is past him and he sticks his arm out. For me, that’s a penalty.
“What the referee has done here is thought that it is so close that he doesn’t have the opportunity to withdraw.
“But what he does do, is extend his arm. For me, that doesn’t come in. This guy has made his body shape bigger.
“It’s a penalty kick, every day.”
The incident came shortly after Reo Hatate’s stunning winner that secured Celtic the three points and kept them two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
They are next in action on Saturday (8 October) when they host fourth-place Hibs at Parkhead.
In other news, Celtic have opened “huge” new contract talks after a Premier League club approach.
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