Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Ibrox VAR chaos explained

Dujon Sterling was deemed to have handled the ball in the box <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Dujon Sterling was deemed to have handled the ball in the box (Image: PA)
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First it was a goal, then it was offside, then it was no goal and finally it was a penalty.

An incredible turn of events saw an Athletic Bilbao goal ruled out and a penalty awarded in a bonkers VAR intervention. 

Alex Berenguer appeared to have put Bilbao ahead as he fired home from close range following a save form Liam Kelly.

The winger slammed home after a long ball over the top caused chaos in the Rangers boss with Gorka Guruzeta's initial strike saved by Liam Kelly.

However, a check of the goal revealed the winger was offside as Dujon Sterling was the only player between him and the goal with Kelly having raced off his line.

The VAR officials realised Berenguer was offside but then began to check a possible handball by Sterling.

The Rangers defender had somewhat lost track of the ball in the air as he tried to keep tight to Berenguer.

In doing so, Sterling had stretched his left arm with the ball flicking off it as it fell to the feet of the Athletic Bilbao forward.


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Co-commentator Ally McCoist groaned: "You can't give a penalty. He has got no idea where the ball is. I think that is extremely harsh

"I don't know what the game is coming to, the sending off, that penalty..."

However, referee Istvan Kovacs deemed the handball was worthy of being punished with a penalty given after he reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor.

After the third VAR check, one for the attacking phase of play, one for offside and then handball - over the goal incident, Kovacs then pointed to the spot. Four minutes and 20 seconds elapsed between the goal and the penalty award.

Kelly, though, was the hero for Rangers as he saved the spot-kick from Berenguer with his leg.

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