It took 70 seconds for Ismael Saibari to smash Morocco into the lead in Boston. By full time, Scotland’s World Cup hopes were hanging by a thread – and Steve Clarke’s side were convinced they had been shafted by the officials.
Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev waved away two second-half penalty appeals after John McGinn and Scott McTominay went to ground. He also showed only a yellow card to Morocco defender Issa Diop for a challenge on Che Adams that, Clarke said, “on another day could be a red.”
“Scotland lose 1-0 to Morocco after two penalty appeals rejected and a possible red card missed.”
Former referee Christina Unkel, analysing the game on ITV, said McTominay should have had a spot-kick. “It’s a simple foul, there’s contact at the knee position,” she said. But the station’s studio pundits – Roy Keane and Ange Postecoglou – disagreed with their colleague.
Clarke himself was diplomatic, telling reporters: “There were one or two decisions that I’m not too sure about. I thought the John McGinn one was more a penalty. On another day somebody could give that.”
McGinn, the Aston Villa midfielder, was in little doubt that Neil El Aynaoui had fouled him, but insisted Scotland could not become fixated on the referee. “We could have been helped at times by the ref with 50-50 challenges,” he said. “No problem with allowing things to flow but it has to be c…”
Two unnamed former Scotland internationals were left bemused that Diop was not sent off. Another, Pat Nevin, defended what he called a “bizarre” refereeing performance.
Scotland now have it all to do to reach the knockout rounds. After beating Haiti 1-0 in their opener, defeat to Morocco – combined with the other results in Group C – means Clarke’s men must win their final group game and hope for favours elsewhere. Fine margins, as they say. And plenty of questions for Ilgiz Tantashev.