Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel may face disciplinary action after entering the Rangers penalty area during the League Cup Final shootout, according to The Ref’s View.
The platform, operated by former SFA referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy, highlighted the incident on X (16 December), referencing a video where Schmeichel stepped into the area as Arne Engels prepared to take Celtic’s third penalty.
Although Schmeichel’s encroachment and gestures appeared to have no impact on Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, Engels converted his penalty into the bottom corner. However, the official rules suggest that Schmeichel could still face sanctions. Celtic ultimately triumphed, winning 5-4 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw.
The SFA’s shootout rules were shared online, emphasizing that goalkeepers must remain on the field of play but outside the penalty area, positioned on the goal line where it meets the penalty boundary.
The controversy has added to the fallout from the match, which also saw Rangers denied a contentious penalty late in extra time when Liam Scales appeared to pull down Vaclav Cerny near the box. Despite the apparent foul, Rangers players did not strongly contest the decision, leaving many puzzled.
Replays failed to capture Schmeichel’s encroachment as Engels stepped up, and neither did Butland, whose awareness of the infringement might have led to a retake of the penalty.
While any subsequent charge against Schmeichel will come too late to affect the result, Rangers must quickly shift their focus as they prepare to return to action at Ibrox.
