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Rangers have expressed “serious concerns” after the two VAR officials involved in their League Cup final defeat by Celtic were reinstated for their Premier League games.
Alan Muir – who was the VAR for the game at Hampden Park – and his assistant Frank Connor were not on domestic duty last weekend after making an “unacceptable” error, according to Scottish FA head of refereeing Willie Collum.
Celtic defender Liam Scales brought down Vaclav Cerny in the first half of extra time, and on-field referee John Beaton ruled that the incident happened outside the penalty area.
Although the video appeared to show the foul was on the penalty line, Muir and Connor did not overturn the decision on the field – with the score 3-3 in overtime, before the Rangers lost the shootout.
Collum added that it was “not a difficult decision for the VAR team” and that they “were not forensic enough in the analysis”.
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Sky Sports News’ Gordon Duncan has all the details after SFA refereeing boss Willie Collum admits Rangers should have been awarded a penalty against Celtic in their League Cup final defeat
Then, Gers boss Philippe Clement said it was “really strange” that Muir and Connor had not intervened, whereas the club’s new CEO Patrick Stewart asked for an explanation of the incident. The rangers then continued to describe the incident as “detrimental to the credibility of Scottish football more widely”.
Now, following Muir’s appointment as VAR for St Mirren v Dundee on December 29, plus Connor’s return to the touchline as an assistant referee at Rugby Park for Kilmarnock v Aberdeen on Boxing Day and at Celtic Park when Celtic host St Johnstone on December 29 – Rangers struck again at SFA.
Appointments affect ‘credibility and trust’
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New Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart – seen here arriving at Ibrox on his first day in the role – has asked the SFA for an explanation of the incident
A statement read: “Rangers FC have contacted the Scottish FA to raise serious concerns and raise a number of questions regarding the swift reinstatement of two VAR officials who were involved in an officiating error during the recent Premier Sports Cup final. We also note that one of the officials named for the SPFL Premiership match involving the club that benefited from the error.
“The actions of the Scottish FA raise questions about their commitment to improving refereeing standards and promoting accountability. While Rangers FC fully respects the independence of refereeing and the need for referees to operate without interference, the manner in which the Scottish FA deals with such high-profile failings directly affects its credibility and public trust.
“The decision to reinstate the officials so quickly, particularly for a match involving a club that benefited from the error in question, has drawn widespread media attention to the failure of the referee and the officials concerned. It was both predictable and avoidable, and contradicts any the Scottish Football Association’s declared duty of care towards the match officials.
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Rangers manager Philippe Clement speaks after Scottish FA referees boss Willie Collum admitted they should have been awarded a penalty in their League Cup final defeat by Celtic
“Mistakes happen in football and how they are dealt with is of the utmost importance. We call on the Scottish FA to demonstrate its desire to improve the quality and consistency of refereeing and to do so in a transparent manner. We do not wish to challenge the authority of the Scottish FA or the integrity or independence of judges, but to encourage improved standards and accountability It is not about good governance.
“Rangers FC expect tangible steps to be taken and remain committed to holding the Scottish FA accountable in the interests of the game.”
Sky Sports News has contacted the Scottish FA.
