Willie Collum last night released a statement confirming why Celtic's goal vs Dundee United stood - despite the ball coming off Kasper Hogh's arm.
The Hoops romped past the Terrors at Tannadice in what was a comfortable 4-0 win but with the scoreline still 1-0, Camilo Duran doubled his side's lead.
Controversy followed with questions around the build-up after the ball cannoned off striker Hogh's arm before falling to Duran's feet where he buried it into the net.
United were livid and VAR checked the goal, only for it to count and set Celts up to see out the game convincingly.
But head of refereeing for the Scottish FA, Collum, put a statement to Premier Sports to explain the thought process during VAR as well as the laws of the game in better detail.
“The entire incident was checked, including the handball," it read. “The ball clearly strikes the hand of the Celtic attacker, however this is not a punishable handball as it is a consequence of his playing action and is completely accidental.
“The laws of the game are clear regarding handball and an immediate goal being scored. The offence only applies when the player who handled the ball is the one who subsequently scores.
“As another attacker scored, this provision does not apply.
“We note that at half time this was compared to the Falkirk disallowed goal from week one (in the Premiership). The VAR deemed that handball to be punishable by law.
“In our opinion however, these are completely different incidents and should be considered comparable.”
