Leading former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes the decision to penalise Alex Iacovitti in Ross County's 2-0 defeat to Celtic was harsh but the right call by the rules.
Malky Mackay was left fizzing over the award with the player himself miffed by VAR becoming involved and Wille Collum subsequently pointing to the spot in the dying embers of the first half in Dingwall. The defender's arm was outstretched as he jostled with Cameron Carter-Vickers. Gallagher claims the change in rules is not universally adored among the referee fraternity and it also left Dingwall punters vexed despite multiple pundits backing VAR's intervention.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he said: "Very harsh, I don't know what the player can do. Unfortunately, as the law is written now, arm outstretched like that, which it clearly is, shoulder height, which it clearly is, sent to the monitor there is only going to be one outcome. It doesn't sit well with supporters, referees don't particularly like it, but, unfortunately, you don't have to like the law you have to apply it.
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