Former SFA referee Des Roache has slammed claims that Celtic are top of the league because of VAR after Aberdeen star Duk saw his goal chopped off.
It was a thriller at Celtic Park as Jimmy Thelin‘s men battled back from a two goals down to draw level with Brendan Rodgers side – and came close to taking all three points back to Pittodrie after Dons’ forward bundled the ball home from close range. Whistler Nick Walsh would initially give the goal before Greg Aiken in the VAR room intervened to rule the apparent Aberdeen winner out for handball.
With the clash ending in a draw, the Hoops remain top of the Scottish Premiership on goal difference with both Celtic and the Dons holding unbeaten records. The decision to chalk Duk’s strike off has sparked some criticism from pundits – but the debate has left Roache in disbelief. Speaking to the Behind the Whistles podcast, he said: “I think it’s rather pathetic that some people are commenting that VAR has kept Celtic at the top of the league. VAR hasn’t kept Celtic at the top of the league.
“The laws of the game and the application of the laws of the game have helped Celtic stay where they are because that goal was disallowed. It was a factual call. And the laws of the game say that that cannot be allowed to stand as a goal. End of discussion.”
“To say otherwise is frankly, quite pathetic. In fact, the only thing with my notes, the only thing I’ve got is a Duk handball, correct decision, because it’s illegal to score a goal with your arm. So it’s a non-discussion point.”
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