The Thursday Stickler

Whoops Atletico!

The Champions League threw up (more of a dry heave) a controversial incident last night that remarkably favoured Real Madrid. In a shocking turn of events, during the penalty shoot out, Atletico’s Julian Alvarez was adjudged to have double touched his successful penalty as he fell on his arse.

According to the experts VAR used 26 cameras available as part of the semi automated set up which can track limb movement and identifies touch points. The bigger question is who put the banana skin next to the penalty spot.

My serious bugbear with this is the minutiae that VAR judges on factual calls yet a team could score from a factually incorrectly awarded corner and nothing is done about it. Similar to the NFL where certain penalties are not reviewable. Makes a mockery of the whole thing if you ask me.

Tonight it’s Europa League night. Ange and Ruben of the Three Unwise Men will be hoping they don’t follow in Pep’s footsteps by getting emptied.

In Glasgow, the Rangers are taking an unassailable 3-1 lead into the second leg with Fenerbahce. I think Barry Ferguson has been really honest in all his media comments since he got the job. He hasn’t sugarcoated anything. He’s even throwing some jabs at Jose now.

In domestic football news, Nicky Cadden’s hamstring knack is going to keep him out for a couple of weeks so not as bad as feared. The cure - a matching hammy mask.

Here’s a wee treat for paying subscribers. A time lapse video of the making of the Sunshine on Leith design.