SPFL Deletes Response as Ibrox Controversy Explodes: Livingston Fury After Denied Penalty
The SPFL has deleted its public response to Livingston from all its verified social media accounts, but the damage is already done. Screenshots are going viral and at the heart of the storm is a dramatic night at Ibrox, where Livingston were denied what they insist was a “stonewall” penalty.
The flashpoint came during Rangers’ 2–1 win, a match already carrying its usual intensity under the Glasgow floodlights. But the real eruption did not come from the stands. It came from the penalty box. With Livingston pushing forward, Tete Yengi’s powerful strike appeared to be blocked by the arm of Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez. The appeals were instant. The reaction from Livingston’s bench was instant. But referee David Dickinson waved play on.
Moments later, the VAR check came and went. No on field review. No pause. No penalty.
Inside Ibrox, the crowd roared their approval, but for Livingston the sense of injustice was immediate and overwhelming.
“A stonewall penalty at Ibrox and everyone knows it”
Livingston manager David Martindale did not hold back after the match. His frustration was raw, controlled only by disbelief.
“I cannot believe that is not a penalty,” he said.
“At Ibrox, in front of 50000 people, you expect big decisions to be handled properly. That is a stonewall penalty.”
He was not alone. Coaching staff, players and fans flooded social media within minutes of full time. Clips of the incident circulated everywhere, slowed down, zoomed in, freeze framed. And while football always invites debate, the overwhelming sentiment online was simple. How was that not given?
A growing pattern and a growing anger
What makes this moment different is not just the decision itself but the escalating frustration across the league with VAR inconsistencies, especially in high pressure matches.
Martindale continued:
“We are getting apologies every week.
Apologies do not give us points.
Something has to change and it has to change quickly.”
His comments echoed those of other Premiership managers who have publicly questioned decisions at Ibrox this season. The fear quietly expressed by several clubs and now loudly by Livingston is that the balance of decision making is shifting in ways that undermine sporting integrity.
The SPFL deletion that sparked a new fire
The situation took a new twist when the SPFL posted a statement responding to the incident, only to delete it shortly afterwards from all verified
Former SPFL Statement (Now Deleted)
“The SPFL acknowledges the incident involving a potential handball during the match at Ibrox. Following consultation with the match officials and VAR team, we are satisfied that the correct on-field decision was made in real time. The referee applied the Laws of the Game appropriately, and VAR concluded that the threshold for a clear and obvious error was not met. While we understand the strength of feeling surrounding the incident, we fully support the match officials’ handling of the situation.”
Whatever the intention behind the deletion, the result was explosive.
Screenshots spread across X, Facebook and fan forums within minutes. The removal was interpreted by many as an attempt to pull back from an initial stance or to avoid taking sides in another refereeing storm at Ibrox.
For Livingston supporters, it was confirmation of a familiar narrative. When the controversy happens at Ibrox, the handling becomes even more chaotic.
Former referees: “This one is bad. Really bad.”
Even in neutral circles, the criticism was severe. On analysis shows, former referees questioned the failure to recommend an on field review.
One pundit summed it up bluntly.
“This incident anywhere else is a penalty.”
Another added.
“VAR is there for exactly this situation. Not using it properly is inexcusable.”
A league reaching boiling point
This latest controversy comes amid rising tension in Scottish football. Clubs have voiced concerns privately and publicly about accountability, transparency and the quality of officiating under VAR.
The Ibrox decision has now become the flashpoint that brings all those frustrations into sharp focus.
Livingston’s situation is especially sensitive. Fighting for crucial points, they cannot afford costly errors. Martindale made that clear:
“This is not just a bad call.
These decisions impact livelihoods, promotions, relegations, budgets, futures.
Something needs to change.”
The SPFL and Scottish FA will face renewed pressure to explain both the decision and the removed statement. Livingston are expected to demand clarification formally and supporters already expect a public explanation.
The Ibrox incident may prove to be more than another contentious moment. It could be the point where frustration finally becomes action across the league, especially if clubs believe the handling of major decisions differs depending on where the match is being played.
