Antonio Colak's handball against Partick Thistle was 'less of a penalty' than Connor Goldson's handball against Celtic, and referee David Munro should have overturned VAR for the first time.
That is the view of former grade one referee Des Roache who insists there was a number of errors to be examined during Rangers' 3-2 win over the Jags in the Scottish Cup. First VAR was in the spotlight when Celtic received a penalty for a handball that saw St Mirren defender Richard Taylor sent off in an eventual 5-1 win for Ange Postecoglou's men.
It was all high drama to follow Ibrox when Rangers conceded a first-half penalty at the expense of Colak, who was adjudged to have handled the ball following a VAR review. On-field official David Munro did not initially award the spot-kick but VAR assistant Steven Kirkland suggested a review which resulted in the decision.
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Roache insists the referee should have taken the chance to buck the trend in overturning a VAR decision and that Colak should 'never' have been penalised.
He told the Get Involved Referee podcast: "It's not a penalty. We've said this a million times. I'll clarify this: I have never said the penalties against Connor Goldson should be penalties. I have said that under the laws of the game the three handball incidents we got castigated about were not penalties under the laws of the game. In the same world, everyone expects penalties.
"The Colak one, under the laws of the game, yes it's a penalty but in the same world it is never a penalty. He has no opportunity not for the ball to hit him. Why on goodness earth has that been given? Not for me.
Guest David McDonald said: "Yes it's come from VAR. If anything it's less of a penalty than the Goldson ones you're making reference to Des. You were quoted as saying he's had more saves than Allan McGregor this season. It's never a penalty, it's ridiculous."
Roache added: "I would like to have seen David [Munro] - who has had a clear view of it, he's not been obstructed - that was the time that the VAR should have been overturned for the first time. Not the Ryan Kent incident against Aberdeen where Willie [Collum] overturned the decision Nick Walsh had given. That was the ideal situation to overturn VAR for the first time.
"What doesn't sit easy with me is David hasn't given the penalty. He's seen it and been asked to come across and review it. He's watch it on the TV and agreed, overturning his own decision. It's not the first time he's done it at Ibrox this year. I would like to think he could have been stronger."
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