The SFA have explained why Celtic striker Tomas Cvancara controversially had a penalty claim snubbed against Dundee.
With the Scottish Cup showdown goalless, the towering striker was involved in a tussle with visiting defender Luke Graham on the edge of the box. As the Celtic frontman took the ball into the box, he would fall to the ground.
Referee Ryan Lee would award a free kick following the flashpoint. The game would be stopped briefly while David Dickinson and the VAR team checked the incident before play resumed.
At half-time, former Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew was left baffled by the incident. 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.”
Former Dens’ Park boss Tony Docherty 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 on VAR: “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.”
However, the SFA would offer a clarification on the incident from the SFA. Premier Sports host Emma Dodds said: “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 responded: “There you go, the difference between pushing and pulling…I should have read the small print.”