The penalty Celtic were denied against Dundee is still being talked about as former SFA referee Des Roache shares what some ‘high-profile referees’ told him about the foul on Tomas Cvancara.
The Celtic striker was fouled when the Hoops were 1-0 down and chasing an equaliser after Cvancara was decked in the Dundee penalty area.
The foul was adjudged to have been made outside Dundee’s 18-yard box after the match referee and VAR deemed the infringement as a Celtic free-kick.
Should Celtic have been awarded a penalty against Dundee?
The debate has caused much conversation in Scotland and now it’s the turn of former SFA referee Des Roache to give his view on the controversy.
And he’s also divulged what other ‘high-profile’ whistlers told him about the Celtic Park row.
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Des Roache says Celtic penalty row ‘splits decisions’ with other referees
As Celtic prepare to take on Livingston tonight, Roache shared what he’s been told not just by other referees, but also ‘media folk’.
Roache told The Ref’s View, “I’ve spoken to a couple of people. I’ve spoken to referees, spoken to some high-profile referees. I’ve spoken to some media folk.
“And again, it splits decisions. I know that they’re saying that if you pull someone outside the penalty area
and it continues into the penalty area, it’s punishable by a penalty kick.
“If you tackle someone outside and it continues in, it’s punishable by this foul by the Dundee player. It’s an extended push.
“It’s extended contact because he does have contact outside the penalty area and then the contact continues into the penalty area.”
Roache ‘doesn’t agree’ with Celtic penalty call vs Dundee
Roache then went on to give his verdict on the penalty call as he slammed the on field referee and VAR for missing a blatant penalty kick for Celtic.
Roache continued, “What I’m looking at is, when you see the contact, the arms are bent and the hands are on his back when the play moves into the penalty area.
“Now, this has happened within sort of half-second. When they see the extended arm and you actually see the Celtic players jersey lifted up, the legs are inside the penalty area.
“And I have not seen anywhere in the laws of the game that states that a push has only gone by where it’s initiated.
“A foul is a foul, and that foul has continued into the penalty area. So, I’m sorry, I don’t agree with it.”
Hopefully, tonight’s game against Livingston is not marred by VAR controversy and Celtic get all three points to keep the pressure on Hearts.
With the games ticking down, Celtic cannot afford to drop points and the Parkhead club also cannot afford to leave results to chance by VAR as well.
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