The referee was involved in the play before Cyriel Dessers netted the fourth goal at Dens Park.
Tony Docherty and his Dundee players were left fuming after referee Kevin Clancy appeared to interfere in play during the build-up to a Rangers goal.
But the Dens Park doubters of the whistler's explanation look to have been proven wrong by a little known IFAB rule. Dee boss Docherty was left stewing on the touchline during the Scottish Premiership showdown following Rangers fourth goal of the night after Luke McCowan was blocked off by Clancy and unable to prevent the sweeping counter attack that saw Cyriel Dessers find the net.
Docherty was left baffled by the explanation from the man in the middle as he stated: “The referee fouled Luke McCowan and I’m expecting it to be brought back. But it can’t unless the referee touches the ball.” But despite his protest during the game and following the full-time whistle, the rule book appears to side with Clancy despite a heated post-match debate.
While it would not have been given as a foul, the flashpoint could have seen a drop ball take place. But IFAB rules state that there is just four reasons that play can be stopped and restarted with a dropped ball. If play stops because of an injury or other serious incidents, or an off-field outside agent intervenes with play. Also, if the referee blows his whistle by mistake to stop the game.
But the note in the rule book that will interest Dundee and Rangers fans is that if the ball touches a referee or another match official and a player goes in on goal, possession changes hands or a promising attack starts. And while Clancy appeared to interfere with play he did not touch the ball - meaning he was powerless to stop the Light Blues going up the opposite end of the park to score.
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