The SFA have outlined the reasoning behind the decision not to award Celtic striker Tomas Cvancara a penalty during the contentious moment against Dundee.
With the Scottish Cup clash still scoreless, the imposing forward became entangled in a physical battle with visiting defender Luke Graham near the edge of the area. As the Celtic attacker carried the ball into the box, he went down under pressure.
Referee Ryan Lee pointed for a free kick after the incident. Play was paused briefly as VAR official David Dickinson and his team reviewed the footage, before the original call was allowed to stand and the match restarted.
At the interval, former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew admitted he was perplexed by the verdict. He told Premier Sports: “For me, this is a penalty. I know the contact potentially starts outside of the box, but the ruling is if the contact continues in the box it’s a penalty, and there is a push.
“It’s definitely on the line, and you could argue that it was inside. If it’s on the line it’s a penalty for me, I don’t know why that hasn’t been looked into by the referee.”
Ex-Dens Park manager Tony Docherty shared a similar view. He added: “I think there is an argument that it should be. I remember a similar incident, with Braga at Hearts against Dundee United and I think the initial contact is outside where it continues into the box. It was very quick the decision, made on that.”
Mulgrew also questioned the VAR intervention, stating: “I don’t now how they can come up with that conclusion. You can see there is clear contact in the box. It obviously starts outside but it continues right into the corner [of the box]. A clear penalty for me.”
The SFA later provided further explanation via the broadcaster. Premier Sports presenter Emma Dodds relayed: “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.”
Mulgrew reacted with a touch of humour, saying: “There you go, the difference between pushing and pulling…I should have read the small print.”