Former referee Mark Clattenburg sends clear message to IFAB after Celtic-Rangers controversy

The refereeing debate surrounding Sunday’s Old Firm clash could lead to further discussion of the handball law, with a former Premier League official calling on IFAB to examine the current rules.

Rangers secured a 1-0 victory over Celtic at Parkhead, but their margin of victory could have been greater after Olwethu Makhanya saw a spectacular long-range effort ruled out.

The goal was initially celebrated by Rangers, but VAR intervened after the ball was found to have made contact with Makhanya’s arm during the build-up. Under the current interpretation of the handball rules, the goal could not stand.

The incident was one of several controversial handball decisions in Scottish football over the weekend.

Hearts have also requested clarification from the SFA after Laurent Mendy’s goal was disallowed during their 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock. In that incident, Mendy’s effort was ruled out after the ball touched his arm before defender Cathal McCarthy got a head to it on its way towards goal.

The situation has raised a question over who should officially be regarded as the scorer. If McCarthy is deemed to have scored an own goal, the current rules suggest the goal could have been allowed because Mendy h