Viewers were calling it the ‘worst penalty award’ they’d ever seen. Former Scotland star James McFadden could only say ‘wow’.
FIFA referee Matthew MacDermid certainly won’t want to watch the highlights back on Saturday morning.
MacDermid awarded a penalty to Partick Thistle when Seb Drozd dropped to the ground theatrically, with no apparent contact from Ayr defender Kevin Holt.
Smyth converted from 12 yards to give Thistle a 1-0 win and even Partick boss Mark Wilson admitted afterwards it was not a penalty.
The worst ever? Judge for yourself.
Seb Drozd lies smirking on the ground after winning a contentious penalty for Partick Thistle
Pundit Chris Sutton was clearly in no doubt when he took a typically sarcastic swipe at the referee on X.
The former Celtic striker posted: ‘A contender for BBC 606’s Simulation Game … difficult for the ref to spot this.’
One of many irate Ayr fans posted: ‘That’s an absolute joke to award that dive! Cheating b*****!’
Another supporter of the Honest Men complained: ‘That was never a penalty in a million years’, to which a Partick Thistle fan replied: ‘I agree but sadly it happens.’
A fellow Jags fan had a slightly different take when he posted: ‘As a thistle fan its 100% a dive but overall we have been all over you.’
The Ref’s View podcast hosted by former referees posted: ‘Horrific decision to award a penalty there, Smith already on a booking for diving. Matthew MacDermid has been conned there.’
