KMI panel delivers verdict on Rangers vs Motherwell penalty controversy

Rangers and Motherwell have now been informed of the Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel’s verdict regarding the controversial penalty appeal from their recent meeting at Ibrox.

The incident occurred late in the match, with Rangers holding a narrow 1–0 advantage courtesy of Thelo Aasgaard’s goal. As Motherwell pushed for an equaliser, their midfielder Lukas Fadinger went down inside the penalty area following contact with Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez. Despite strong appeals from the visiting side, referee David Dickinson waved play on and awarded no penalty.

Following its post-match review, the KMI panel has ruled by a 2:1 majority that the on-field decision was incorrect and that Motherwell should have been awarded a penalty. The panel agreed that Fernandez’s challenge constituted sufficient contact to justify a spot-kick, and therefore concluded that the final outcome of play continuing was wrong.

In its findings, the panel also considered what should have happened had the incident been reviewed on the pitch. Again, by a 2:1 majority, members felt that if Dickinson had been sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR officials, a penalty would have been awarded after review. However, that scenario never materialised, as the VAR team did not advise the referee to conduct an on-field check.

Despite agreeing that a penalty should ultimately have been given, the panel simultaneously supported the VAR’s decision not to intervene. By the same 2:1 margin, the panel judged that VAR official Greg Aitken was correct to refrain from getting involved, as the incident did not reach the required threshold for intervention under current VAR guidelines.

In its official report, the panel explained its reasoning clearly. It stated that the majority of members believed the referee’s original call of no penalty was wrong and that the final outcome should have been different. However, it added that the same majority felt the challenge fell short of the standard needed for VAR to overturn the on-field decision.

The report read: “The majority (2:1) of the panel agreed that the on-field decision of no penalty was incorrect, and therefore, the final outcome decision of no penalty was incorrect.” It continued: “However, the majority (2:1) of the panel agreed it didn’t meet the threshold of VAR intervention.”

This nuanced verdict underlines the continued complexity surrounding VAR usage, particularly in subjective incidents such as penalty appeals. While the panel felt a penalty should have been awarded, it also accepted that VAR officials acted within the laws and protocols as they currently stand.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou was clearly frustrated by the decision at full-time and has since reiterated his disappointment. Speaking after the match, he made no attempt to hide his disbelief at the referee’s call, describing the incident as one he may never fully understand.

Askou said he could not comprehend how his side were denied a penalty when Fadinger appeared to be tripped while bearing down on goal. He described the situation as unacceptable and suggested it was another example of a decision that would later be explained away rather than corrected in the moment.

The Motherwell boss revealed that he had not spoken directly to Dickinson following the game, admitting that doing so would change nothing at this stage. However, he stressed that the incident looked clear from his vantage point on the touchline, insisting the foul was obvious even from a significant distance.

According to Askou, Fernandez left his leg trailing and made contact with Fadinger as the Motherwell player moved past him, a challenge he felt was more than enough to warrant a penalty. While he acknowledged that refereeing decisions are beyond his control, he expressed resignation that his team must simply accept outcomes like this and move on.

The frustration is compounded by Motherwell’s upcoming fixture list, with a challenging clash against Celtic awaiting them at Fir Park. Askou will be hoping his players can quickly refocus, despite the lingering sense of injustice from the Ibrox encounter.

For Rangers, the panel’s findings may bring a sense of relief rather than celebration. While the verdict suggests they benefitted from a refereeing error, the confirmation that VAR acted within its remit ensures that the match result stands without further controversy.

Ultimately, the KMI panel’s ruling highlights the fine margins involved in modern officiating. It reinforces the idea that a decision can be deemed incorrect in hindsight while still falling outside the scope of VAR intervention. For Motherwell, that distinction will offer little comfort, while for Scottish football as a whole, it once again fuels debate around consistency, interpretation, and the effectiveness of video review.

Röhl eyes Rangers swoop for highly rated star in potential Windass alternative

Rangers manager Danny Röhl is reportedly assessing his options in the January transfer window, and while a reunion with Josh Windass has been discussed, there is a growing argument that another former Sheffield Wednesday player would represent a far smarter piece of business for the Ibrox club.

Earlier this month, reports emerged suggesting that Rangers had explored the possibility of bringing Josh Windass back to Glasgow on a loan deal from Championship side Wrexham. The attacking midfielder previously enjoyed a productive spell at Ibrox and remains a familiar name to supporters, making the link an understandable one as the Light Blues look to add creativity and goals to their squad.

However, any hopes of a quick return appear to have been dampened by Wrexham’s stance. The Welsh club are said to be unwilling to allow Windass to leave midway through the season, particularly given his importance to their campaign. That position all but forces Rangers to turn their attention elsewhere as they seek reinforcements ahead of the second half of the season.

Josh Windass with an absolute joke of a goal for Wrexham! 😱 pic.twitter.com/0Qitdo11X1

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 20, 2025

Windass has enjoyed a solid campaign in the Championship so far, contributing seven goals and three assists. His form may explain Röhl’s reported interest, especially considering the pair previously worked together at Sheffield Wednesday. During his earlier stint at Rangers, Windass scored 19 goals and often provided moments of attacking quality, though his time in Glasgow was not without inconsistency.

With Wrexham reluctant to sanction a loan exit for the 31-year-old, Rangers are now being linked with another player who has already earned Röhl’s trust — this time in a very different position on the pitch.

According to a report from SportsBoom, Rangers are considering a move for Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles. The young Northern Ireland international is said to be admired by Röhl, who handed him his senior league debut last season and reportedly views him as a potential long-term solution between the posts at Ibrox.

The report suggests that Röhl believes Charles has the attributes required to develop into Rangers’ future number one. With Sheffield Wednesday facing ongoing financial uncertainty, there may be an opportunity for Rangers to capitalise and secure the services of one of their most promising assets.

It is claimed that unless a sale of the club is finalised soon, the Owls could be forced to cash in on valuable players during the January window. That scenario could open the door for Rangers to make a move for Charles, potentially positioning him as a successor to current first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland.

When comparing the two reported targets, there is a compelling case that Charles would represent a more strategic signing than Windass. While Windass could offer short-term attacking output, any deal — particularly a loan — would provide little lasting benefit beyond the remainder of the season.

At 31 years old, Windass is firmly in the latter stages of his career. Even if he were to make an immediate impact, Rangers would still face the same squad planning questions again in the summer. His return would likely be a temporary fix rather than a move aligned with long-term squad building.

Charles, by contrast, is only 20 and would likely arrive on a permanent deal. Such a signing would allow Rangers to invest in the present while also planning for the future. In the short term, he could provide genuine competition for Butland, and over time, he could grow into the undisputed first choice.

Statistically, Charles has already shown promising signs at Championship level. Since the beginning of last season, he has demonstrated strong fundamentals, particularly in one-on-one situations and aerial contests. His duel success rates stand out, with perfect records in both ground and aerial duels during the period assessed.

While both Charles and Butland have recorded occasional costly mistakes, the frequency of those errors is similar when measured across appearances. However, Charles has been more efficient in key defensive metrics and has shown encouraging composure for a goalkeeper of his age.

Shot-stopping data further strengthens the case for the Sheffield Wednesday man. Based on expected goals faced, Charles has prevented more goals in the Championship than Butland has in the Scottish Premiership over a comparable timeframe. While leagues differ in style and intensity, those numbers suggest Charles already possesses the instincts and reactions required at a high level.

Another area where Charles appears to have an advantage is distribution. A graduate of the Manchester City academy, he is comfortable playing out from the back and operating with the ball at his feet. This quality is increasingly vital for teams looking to build from defence and control possession.

By contrast, Butland has experienced difficulties in that aspect of his game this season. Across domestic and European competitions, he has been responsible for several errors in possession that have led directly to shots or goals. Charles, meanwhile, has recorded just one such error in the same period, highlighting his relative security under pressure.

This difference could be particularly important for Rangers, who often face opponents content to press high and force mistakes in build-up play. A goalkeeper confident in possession could significantly improve the team’s ability to progress the ball cleanly from the back.

Charles has also received praise from within the game, including being described as “amazing” by fellow professionals — an endorsement that underlines the regard in which he is held by those who have seen his development up close.

The assist here… 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/8sxmuCRs0L

— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) December 26, 2025

Ultimately, while Windass remains a familiar and potentially useful option, a move for Charles would better reflect forward-thinking recruitment. The goalkeeper offers immediate competition, long-term value, and the potential for significant growth — qualities that align more closely with Rangers’ broader ambitions.

If Röhl is indeed looking to shape the squad in his image and build a platform for sustained success, prioritising a young, high-upside signing like Pierce Charles over a short-term attacking loan may prove to be the smarter call.