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# Ex-ref believes McLean ‘fortunate’ to avoid red in Scotland win

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 16 Jun
- **Club:** Norwich City
- **Original URL:** https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/26196648.norwich-city-keith-hackett-mcleans-scotland-tackle/?ref=rss

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes Kenny McLean was fortunate to avoid a red card in Scotland’s World Cup opener.

McLean was booked by referee Mustapha Ghorbal, but remained on the pitch despite the Haitian protests. The match official has been the subject of criticism in the Caribbean country, with one change.org petition launched from Paris amassing more than 14,000 signatures by Monday afternoon.

Under Law 12, reckless challenges are punished with a yellow card, while using excessive force or endangering the safety of an opponent is expected to result in a red card. Hackett, a former Fifa referee, felt the challenge sat on the border between reckless and excessive, but ultimately crossed the line into dismissal territory.

"The boot is above waist height. I think he's coming in with speed; he's not off the ground, so he's got a degree of control, but he could have stopped," he told Football Insider.

"He could have avoided that challenge, so for me it's certainly reckless so that's the yellow card. But it's using excessive force and it's endangered the safety of the opponent by the very nature of the landing area.

"I think this meets the threshold. I think this warrants the referee taking a second look because it's probable that the challenge is covering the actual position of the boot and landing area.

"Haiti have been on the wrong end of a couple of calls that could easily have gone their way but didn't. I guess they have a right to be disappointed."

Former City captain Grant Hanley also faced two penalty shouts in Scotland's win over Haiti. (Image: PA Images)

Scotland also rode their luck with two big penalty calls against former City captain Grant Hanley, only for protests to fall upon deaf ears inside the Boston Stadium.

Ruben Providence's shot appeared to strike the defender's hand inside the area before Jean-Richer Bellegarde, who plays his club football for Wolves, saw a shot from distance blocked by Hanley's arm again.

Scotland's win has placed them at the top of Group C ahead of Friday’s clash against Morocco, before they face Brazil.