Four days have passed since Rangers beat Aberdeen 1-0 to emerge victorious at Hampden and book their place in the Scottish League Cup final against Hibernian.

The fallout from James Penrice’s red card controversy is still dominating talking points among fans and pundits across Scottish football. While referee Ryan Lee and VAR official John Beaton overlooked the incident, Mark Clattenburg and other refereeing experts have admitted that the left-back should have been sent off for a challenge described as a “karate kick” on Dons midfielder Afeez Aremu in the first half.

Aberdeen and SFA draw line under James Penrice incident in Rangers win

Aberdeen chief executive Adrian Bevington contacted SFA’s VAR manager Mark Atkinson to ask why on-field action was not taken against the newly called-up Scotland defender, according to the Daily Record. Bevington and Atkinson, who share a working relationship from their time in English football, held discussions regarding the decision-making process in the game against Rangers at Hampden.

Following the talks, it was confirmed that the dialogue was ‘constructive’, and both parties have agreed that a line has now officially been drawn under the incident.

The controversy had generated significant debate after former FIFA and Premier League official Clattenburg claimed on the So Near, Yet So VAR podcast that Penrice was fortunate to stay on the pitch. He said:

I thought I wasn’t even watching football. I was watching my favourite, The Karate Kid. Listen, it’s more justifiable and easier to understand when the ball isn’t really that high. If you look at it again, the ball isn’t really there, and I think the player knows what he’s doing.

Ironically, Penrice proved to be the match-winner for Derek McInnes‘ side. After avoiding punishment in the first half, his ball into the box allowed striker Ryan Naderi to break Stephen Robinson’s side’s resistance and book Rangers‘ spot in the League Cup final with an 83rd-minute goal.

With the SFA talks concluded, Penrice can now turn his full attention to the upcoming trip to St Mirren, and his maiden Scotland national team call-up under Sebastian Pocognoli for upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland.