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‘I thought I was watching The Karate Kid’ – top ref rages at Rangers VAR escape

Mark Clattenburg has called out Ryan Lee and John Beaton after insisting Rangers' James Penrice should have been sent off during the Scottish League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen.

By Graeme Young · Glasgow Times

Published: Monday, 2 November 2026 at 11:13 AM

Key Things to Know

Former referee Mark Clattenburg stated Rangers' James Penrice should have been sent off for a high tackle against Aberdeen.
Referee Ryan Lee showed no card, and VAR official John Beaton chose not to intervene following the challenge on Aremu Afeez.
Penrice later assisted Ryan Naderi's 83rd-minute winner to send Rangers into the Scottish League Cup final.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg criticized officials after Rangers player James Penrice avoided a red card during a Scottish League Cup semi-final victory over Aberdeen. Clattenburg likened Penrice's high, studs-up tackle on Aberdeen's Aremu Afeez to "The Karate Kid," arguing the midfielder should have been sent off. Referee Ryan Lee issued no card, and VAR official John Beaton did not intervene during the match at Hampden.

Penrice remained on the pitch and went on to provide the assist for Ryan Naderi's 83rd-minute winning goal. Former referees Bobby Madden and Des Roache agreed with Clattenburg's assessment that Rangers should have been reduced to 10 men.

Read the full article on Glasgow Times

‘I thought I was watching The Karate Kid’ – top ref rages at Rangers VAR escape

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