Rangers conceded a highly controversial penalty against Royal Antwerp
Ally McCoist has called the decision to award Royal Antwerp a penalty against Rangers “scandalous”.
The Ibrox legend watched as Steven Davis was penalised for bringing down Lior Refaelov in the box, and the Israeli forward duly converted from the spot to put the home side 2-1 up at the Bosuilstadion.
There was minimal contact from Davis, and BT Sport co-commentator Stephen Craigan responded by saying: “That is exaggeration. An unbelievable penalty-kick.”
Speaking on BT Sport at half-time, McCoist and fellow ex-Rangers man Alan Hutton were both critical of referee Georgi Kabakov.
McCoist said: “It’s a scandalous decision. I’m embarrassed for Refaelov going down, but I’m equally if not more embarrassed for Kabakov the Bulgarian referee.
“I mean, that is embarrassing to say the least. Look at the referee. He’s watching it, he’s absolutely watching it.
“And do you know the problem we’ve got? We’ve actually got VAR now. It’s just compounded the referee’s mistake.”
Hutton added: “That for me is a clear and obvious mistake from the referee. You have to look at that, he barely touched him.
“I mean, if you look at it again, Refaelov is a decent player, there’s no need for him to go down.
“He holds the ball up well. Steven Davis is on his back and he just falls over, so that for me is an error from the referee.
“You look at that again and nobody’s giving that penalty in my opinion.”
Kabakov awarded a penalty to Rangers 12 minutes into the second-half after consulting VAR.
In the absence of the injured James Tavernier, Borna Barisic stepped up and made it 2-2.
Steven Gerrard’s men were in the ascendancy at that point, but Martin Hongla put Benfica 3-2 up nine minutes later.
Ryan Kent put Rangers back on level terms with a superb goal after 83 minutes.
He was through on goal two minutes later only to be denied by substitute keeper Birger Verstraete, but won his side their second penalty three minutes from time.
Barisic beat the keeper again and Rangers left Belgium with a 4-3 victory.
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