Aberdeen narrowed the gap on league leaders Celtic last night with a 1-0 win at Dundee United, however, the main talking point was undoubtedly one of the Dons’ disallowed goals.
Shortly after Simon Church had headed the Dons into a 1-0 lead, the Dons thought they had a second goal when Paul Dixon turned a Niall McGinn shot past his own goalkeeper but referee Bobby Madden had other ideas and ruled out the effort, instead opting to book Graeme Shinnie for an alleged dive.
Shinnie had hit the deck in the build up to the goal after colliding with United defender Gavin Gunning – it appeared Shinnie’s momentum had carried him into Gunning and then onto the ground, as such he didn’t appeal for the penalty – so the decision to disallow the goal was understandably met with a great deal of frustration from Shinnie and his team mates.
That frustration was echoed in the stands, where 2,500 Dons fans were left confused by the decision, while on the touchline, manager Derek McInnes was sent off for his protests.
The protests continued after the game with Dons fans taking to social media to vent their anger at the decision.
WOW just watched the highlights fae last night,, ats a sackable offence for madden booking Shinnie,, worst decision all season
— Paul Mitchell (@jamzieafc) March 3, 2016
That Aberdeen disallowed goal last night could be up there with the worst decision i've ever seen, he then books @Shinzzaa for diving ! lol
— Col Wilson JFT96 (@AlbMorenoIsBoss) March 3, 2016
That decision by Madden to disallow Aberdeens goal and book Shinnie for diving is one of the worst decisions I've seen
— Murray (@KiriakovOddSock) March 3, 2016
Bobby Madden's decision to chalk off a goal & book Shinnie for diving last night is one of the most mental bits of refereeing I've ever seen
— Craig Hargrave (@craighargrave) March 3, 2016
No idea why that Aberdeen goal was disallowed. This is torturous stuff.
— Shane (@havinapisslol) March 2, 2016
I'm not sure if Shinnie is booked for a dive, for fouling the United guy by falling, or for stealing Bobby Madden's lunch money.
— Stuart Gillespie (@SMTID) March 3, 2016
Superb win for Dons at United. Church doing his bit. Unfathomable decision by Madden to book Shinnie 1st half. No wonder DM went berzerk.
— Al Watt (@tbilisidon) March 3, 2016