Celtic have been informed they ought to have received a penalty in their gripping Scottish Cup triumph over Dundee at Celtic Park.
The Hoops left it until the closing stages to complete a comeback win and secure their spot in Sunday’s quarter-final draw.
However, the nerves might have been avoided had they been handed a spot-kick earlier in the encounter.
Recent arrival Tomas Cvancara was brought down by a Dark Blues defender as the Czech striker tried to burst into the penalty area.
Referee Ryan Lee pointed for a free kick just outside the box, while VAR David Dickinson — alongside assistant Andrew Dallas at Clydesdale House — backed the call following a swift review.
Michael Stewart, on co-commentary duty for Premier Sports, felt it should have been a penalty as the infringement carried on inside the area, and former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew, serving as a studio analyst, shared that view.
Pitchside presenter Emma Dodds then relayed an SFA clarification regarding the decision, stating: “In the 38th minute, a free kick is correctly awarded outside the penalty area because the pushing began outside and continued inside. However, it can only be punished if it is holding that continues inside. Pushing can only be punished at the initial point of contact.”
Yet The Ref’s View podcast, fronted by ex-Category One referees Steve Conroy and Des Roache, took a different stance. Posting on X, they said: “That’s a penalty, Cvancara’s foot is on the line of the box.”
One comprehensive reply to the post read: “At the time I thought it was a penalty too but this is just wrong. He was pushed in the back not the foot, so his foot is irrelevant. It’s the initial contact. The ‘foul continuing into the box’ only applies to holding too. So I actually agree with VAR for once.”
Sebastian Tounekti’s extra-time strike propelled Celtic into the final eight after a dramatic equaliser from debutant Junior Adamu — with the final touch of normal time — had wiped out a stunning opener from Ethan Hamilton for the visitors.