The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), under president Aleksander Čeferin, has reportedly launched a major disciplinary investigation into referee Matthew MacDermid following the highly controversial 0–1 Scottish Premiership encounter between Aberdeen FC and Rangers FC.
The match, played at Pittodrie Stadium on August 30, ended with Rangers securing victory through Lawrence Shankland’s second-half penalty. However, the biggest talking points came from two contentious decisions involving Aberdeen captain Kevin Nisbet.
Nisbet was denied a penalty appeal before later scoring what appeared to be Aberdeen’s equaliser. Following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out after officials judged that Nisbet had fouled Rangers defender Dujon Sterling in the build-up. Aberdeen’s camp expressed strong frustration over both decisions.