Motherwell FC ace Bevis Mugabi: Nobody knows handball rule for penalties

Mugabi conceded an early spot kick when handling a Calvin Bassey cross flicked on at point blank range by Scott Arfield, with James Tavernier scoring from the spot to set Rangers on their way to a comfortable 5-1 win in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash.

Mugabi told the Times and Speaker: “With my view of the ball, he (Arfield) kind of flicked it and it went straight into my arm.

“I couldn’t really do anything. I think my arms were by my side as well.

“With the handball rule, nobody knows what’s a handball and what isn’t now. So it’s a bit of a difficult one to take.

“I think they have to review the handball rule for sure.

“My arms were by my side as well so I don’t know what I should be doing now – should my hand be up, should it be down?

“Like what is it now?

“I think quite a lot of the managers are frustrated about the handball rule as well.

“The players are too and me personally because obviously that gives them the 1-0 lead.”

The Steelmen were further frustrated when referee Bobby Madden refused their appeal for a penalty when Glen Kamara appeared to barge Allan Campbell in the box. Madden then awarded Rangers a second penalty for handball by Liam Grimshaw after a Ryan Kent corner.

Tavernier again converted to make it 3-0, with Jordan Jones’ fine solo effort sandwiched in between the two penalties, with Motherwell now having conceded a whopping nine penalties already this season.

Mugabi said: “I didn’t really get a view of the Grimshaw handball because I was at the back post and the referee gave it with Grimmy at the front post.

“I honestly haven’t got an opinion about that second penalty but from what I’ve heard it’s a bit of a harsh one as well.

“Us giving away so many penalties is something we need to work on ourselves to make sure we’re in the right positions not to give penalties away and try and deal with the crosses coming into our box to prevent us from giving away penalties as easy as we are at the moment.”