Exclusive: Hackett slams Rangers v Fenerbahce controversy as VAR locked out
Jose Mourinho would be justified in his outrage after a major decision went against his Fenerbahce side against Rangers, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Espen Eskaas was wrong to yellow-card Anderson Talisca for simulation at Ibrox.
Barry Ferguson, who will be fighting to keep his role at Rangers, helped his side to a 3-1 win over the Turkish giants in the first leg, leaving Jose Mourinho’s team with a mountain to climb when travelling to Glasgow on 13 March.
Sebastian Szymanski scored an incredibly important goal just on the stroke of half-time, scoring again in the second half to set up a grand-stand finish in front of the Ibrox faithful.
Anderson Talisca booked for simulation without VAR check
With five cautions handed out before the half-time whistle, the referee was happy to dish out punishment during the clash, and Talisca was the first to face the wrath of the official.
Hackett told Football Insider earlier this season that Rangers could be in dangerous waters with UEFA after receiving a formal warning for failing over “improper conduct of the team” against Union St Gilloise.
The Brazilian appeared to be brought down just outside the penalty area, with compatriot Jefte the guilty party, but after some consideration, Eskaas awarded a free-kick in the opposite direction.
Talisca was then booked for simulation, a decision which Hackett pointed out to Football Insider could not be checked by VAR due to the offence occurring outside the penalty box.
The fourth official clearly agreed with the original decision, though Mourinho was left baffled on the sidelines as his player was supposedly in the wrong, and one of his coaching staff was then also cautioned.
Barry Ferguson’s Rangers escape dangerous free-kick decision
Speaking to Football Insider about the decision to caution the Fenerbahce player despite relatively clear contact from Jefte, the former referee said:
“Fenerbahce have every right to feel aggrieved that their player was yellow carded for an act of simulation when replays show clearly that there was contact and a foul.
“VAR cannot intervene on a yellow card offence. The foul appeared to be just outside the penalty area again underpinning why VAR cannot intervene under the VAR criteria of a non penalty kick.”
The Gers could face Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals, potentially welcoming the La Liga side to Ibrox on Thursday 10 April before the Light Blues travel for the away leg one week later, but they must face 30 minutes of extra time first.
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