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SFA Defends Non-Penalty Call in CelticDundee Cup Tie as Ex-Ref Chief Urges Review

Officials cited a rule that pushing is judged at the first contact outside the area to justify the VAR-backed free kick.

Overview

  • Referee Ryan Lee awarded a first-half free kick outside the box after contact between Celtic’s Tomas Cvancara and Dundee defender Luke Graham in the 38th minute.
  • VAR officials David Dickinson and assistant Andrew Dallas conducted a quick check and upheld the on-field decision.
  • Premier Sports host Emma Dodds relayed the SFA’s explanation that pushing is penalised at the initial point of contact, unlike holding, which can be penalised if it continues into the area.
  • Pundits Michael Stewart and Charlie Mulgrew argued it should have been a penalty, while former Grade One officials Steve Conroy and Des Roache also publicly disagreed.
  • Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said a spot kick should have been awarded and called on Scottish referees head Willie Collum to review why VAR did not send the referee to the monitor.