Why Officials Got Celtic Decision Correct In Kilmarnock Game

Celtic lost out by two goals to one in Ayrshire on Saturday afternoon. Despite leading at the break, the Hoops went on to lose the game thanks to a commendable second-half turnaround from Killie.

In the match, there were some major talking points. One that many opposition supporters and pundits alike have focused on is Alistair Johnston’s supposed handball in the first half.

Alistair Johnston
3rd December 2023; McDiarmid Park, Perth, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, St Johnstone versus Celtic; Alistair Johnston of Celtic

Some were convinced the handling of the ball from the Candian right-back should have resulted in a Killie penalty. However, the official laws of the game (via Football Scotland) state that no spot-kick can be given ‘if a player is falling and the ball touches their hand/arm when it is between their body and the ground to support the body (but not extended to make the body bigger)’.

This clears up and ends all speculation that there was any wrongdoing regarding this decision. It was a perfectly legal incident, and Johnston didn’t commit any offence, as some have tried to suggest.

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