Former Rangers star Tom Lawrence has launched a furious attack on a controversial refereeing decision after Perth Glory suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Macarthur FC.
The former Ibrox midfielder was left frustrated after his side conceded two late goals, turning what looked like a positive result into a disappointing loss. However, it was the penalty awarded against Perth Glory in the closing stages that attracted the strongest criticism from Lawrence.
Perth Glory had taken the lead and appeared to be in a promising position before Macarthur mounted a late comeback. Substitute Ryan Fraser equalised in the 86th minute, setting up a tense finish to the contest.
Just three minutes later, the referee awarded Macarthur a penalty, giving the home side an opportunity to complete the turnaround. Jonathan Aspropatamitis converted from the spot, securing a 2-1 victory and leaving Perth Glory furious with the outcome.
Lawrence did not hide his disappointment when speaking after the final whistle. The former Rangers man questioned how the referee had reached the decision and expressed frustration that he could not obtain a satisfactory explanation.
He described the decision as a terrible call and argued that it made a mockery of the league. His comments reflected the anger within the Perth Glory camp after a match that had appeared to be heading in a very different direction.
For Lawrence, the issue was not simply the fact that his team had lost. It was the timing and nature of the penalty decision, which gave Macarthur the opportunity to snatch victory in the final minutes.
The midfielder’s reaction has brought renewed attention to the controversy, with supporters likely to debate whether the referee made the correct call.
Lawrence previously spent time at Rangers, making 69 appearances for the Glasgow club and recording 12 goals and seven assists. He left Ibrox before joining Perth Glory, where he has continued his professional career in Australia.
Although his latest comments concern Australian football rather than Scottish Premiership action, they will be of interest to Rangers supporters who remember his time at the club.
The late penalty proved decisive, but the full circumstances of the incident remain important when assessing the referee’s decision. Lawrence has made his feelings clear, although his criticism alone does not establish whether the decision was incorrect.
For Perth Glory, the immediate challenge will be to move on from the defeat and focus on their upcoming fixtures. For Lawrence, the frustration is understandable after a late setback, but the controversy is likely to continue attracting attention long after the final whistle.
