Rangers ‘worried’ Following Reinstatement of VAR Officials
In a move that underscores ongoing tensions within Scottish football, Rangers have taken the extraordinary step of “contacted the Scottish Football Association to express serious concerns and ask several questions” following the controversial reinstatement of the two Video Assistant Referees (VAR) involved in the League Cup final debacle.
Willie Collum, the head of referee operations at the SFA, pulled no punches in his critique, labeling the decision by Frank Connor and Alan Muir not to award a clear penalty for Rangers against Celtic as a ”really, really poor” and “unacceptable” judgment. It was a critical moment that loomed large over the final, which ended in heartache for Rangers as they succumbed to Celtic on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw.
The flashpoint came when Liam Scales’ infringement on Vaclav Cerny was inexplicably overlooked, leading to a free-kick being awarded instead.
In a curious scheduling decision, neither Connor nor Muir officiated any of the top-flight fixtures over the past weekend. However, Connor is set to return as an assistant referee for Kilmarnock’s clash with Aberdeen on Thursday, while Muir is appointed to take on VAR duties for St Mirren against Dundee this Sunday.
Rangers’ statement reads, “We also note one of the officials has been appointed to an SPFL Premiership match involving the club that benefited from the error,” encapsulating the growing concerns over impartiality and consistency in officiating standards.
They further assert, “The Scottish FA’s actions raise questions about their commitment to improving officiating standards and fostering accountability.” This sentiment reflects an undercurrent of discontent that could undermine trust in the integrity of the match officials.
“While Rangers FC fully respects the independence of officiating appointments and the need for referees to operate without interference, how the Scottish FA handles such high-profile failures directly affects its credibility and public confidence,” they continued, shedding light on the balancing act that the governing body must navigate amidst heavy scrutiny.
Rangers emphasized the perceived neglect in following through on best practices, stating, “The decision to reinstate the officials so quickly, and in particular for a fixture involving the club which benefited from the mistake in question, has drawn widespread media scrutiny on the officiating failure and officials concerned.” This statement encapsulates the discontent brewing in the aftermath of the final — a scenario that was, in their words, “both predictable and avoidable.”
While claiming that “mistakes do happen in football,” they ardently argued, “how they are addressed matters enormously,” pointing to the urgent need for transparency and effective governance in the realm of officiating.
“We would urge the Scottish FA to demonstrate its desire to improve the quality and consistency of officiating and to do so in a transparent manner,” Rangers insisted, echoing the calls for a more accountable officiating landscape.
Moreover, they clarified, “We are not seeking to challenge the authority of the Scottish FA or the integrity or independence of match officials, but to encourage improved standards and accountability. This is not about influence. It is about good governance.” A powerful statement emphasizing the critical intersection of sport and ethics.
Rangers FC expects tangible measures to rectify these glaring issues, reaffirming their commitment to holding the Scottish FA accountable “in the interests of the game.” The SFA has been approached for comment, as this unfolding saga continues to command attention.
