Livingston Claims Penalty Mistake in Defeat Against Rangers

Livingston FC has announced that the Scottish FA has acknowledged a “mistake” following their 2-1 defeat to Rangers, where they were denied a crucial penalty.

The incident occurred when Emmanuel Fernandez appeared to handle the ball from a shot taken by Livi forward Tete Yengi, who had just equalized in the 18th minute. Despite this momentary success, Livingston ultimately succumbed to a second-half goal, leaving them at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Chairman Calvin Ford expressed his frustration on the club’s website, noting how pivotal the penalty decision was in the overall match. “It was a significant moment, especially after we had just leveled the score. We firmly believe a penalty should have been awarded, which would have granted us a substantial opportunity to take the lead,” he stated.

Ford further elaborated on the discussions held with the SFA, confirming that the incident had been recognized as a mistake. “While it may be tempting to dwell in anger and frustration, we must now redirect our focus and move forward. This is a challenge for me as well.”

He emphasized the importance of supporting the team in their upcoming match against Aberdeen, stating, “How we respond on Sunday is far more critical for the health and success of our club. Let’s channel our frustration into unwavering support for our team this weekend.”

Currently, Livingston, who gained promotion last season, is trailing Dundee by a single point and is two points behind both St Mirren and Kilmarnock.

A similar incident occurred during Motherwell’s 2-0 victory over Hibernian on Tuesday, where a handball led to a VAR-awarded penalty.

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