Kasper Schmeichel found himself at the centre of controversy after he was caught scuffing up the penalty spot ahead of Ross County’s penalty, a move that irked pundit Chris Sutton.
The incident occurred in Dingwall after County were awarded a penalty. Ronan Hale put his side in front following a handball by Liam Scales, a decision made after VAR called referee Kevin Clancy to review the pitchside footage.
Schmeichel initially saved Hale’s spot-kick, but Clancy ordered a retake, ruling that the goalkeeper had stepped off his line too early.
Hale made no mistake the second time, converting the penalty to give County a surprising lead.
But it wasn’t the penalty drama that drew the ire of former Celtic striker Sutton. Instead, it was Schmeichel’s conduct before the first penalty that frustrated him.
The goalkeeper was seen on Sky Sports cameras appearing to scuff up the penalty spot in an effort to make things more difficult for the County striker. Lead commentator Ian Crocker called it out, saying: “Oops, the old penalty spot scuff from Schmeichel.”
Sutton was quick to voice his disapproval, adding: “I’ve got to say, that’s not on from Kasper Schmeichel. Bit of gamesmanship there.”