Rangers have expressed “serious concern” after two VAR officials involved in their League Cup final defeat to Celtic were reinstated in the top flight.
Alan Muir, who was VAR for the game at Hampden Park, and his assistant Frank Connor were not on home duty last weekend. 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 added time, with referee John Beaton ruling the incident was offside.
While footage showed the foul was on the penalty line, Muir and Connor overturned a decision on the field to tie the score at 3-3 in added time. until the Rangers lost in a 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 admitted Rangers should have been awarded a penalty in their League Cup final defeat against Celtic.
Later, Gers boss Philip Clement said it was ‘really strange’ that Muir and Connor did not interfere, while The new club’s CEO, Patrick Stewart, has asked for an explanation of the incident. Rangers then went on to describe the incident as “detrimental to the wider credibility of Scottish football”.
Now, after Muir’s VAR appointment at St Mirren v Dundee on December 29, plus Connor as assistant referee at Rugby Park for Kilmarnock v Aberdeen on Boxing Day and at Celtic Park when Celtic host St Johnstone on December On the 29th. Rangers hit SFA again.
Appointments affect “credibility and trust”
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New Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart, seen arriving here at Ibrox on his first day in his role, asked the SFA for an explanation of the incident.
“Rangers FC have contacted the Scottish FA to raise serious concerns and a number of questions regarding the swift reinstatement of the two VAR officials involved in the refereeing failure in the recent Premier Sports Cup final. We also note, that one of the officials mentioned. assigned to an SPFL Premiership match involving the club that benefited from the error.
“The Scottish FA’s actions raise questions about their commitment to improving refereeing standards and promoting accountability. While Rangers FC fully respects the independence of referee appointments and the need for referees to act without interference, the Scottish FA’s handling of such high-profile failures directly affect his credibility and public trust.
“The decision to reinstate the officials so quickly, and in particular the club that benefited from the error, received widespread media attention for the refereeing failure and the officials involved. This was both predictable and avoidable,” the Scottish FA said duty of care to those responsible for their meeting.
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Rangers manager Philip Clement speaks out after Scottish FA referee Willie Collum admitted they should have been awarded a penalty in their League Cup final defeat to Celtic.
“Mistakes happen in football and how they are addressed is very important. We are calling on the Scottish FA to show its desire to improve the quality and consistency of refereeing. We are not seeking to challenge the Scottish FA. or the integrity or independence of referees, but to encourage improved standards and accountability It is not about good governance.
“Rangers FC expects tangible action to be taken and remains committed to holding the Scottish FA to account in the interests of the game.”
Sky Sports News contacted the Scottish FA.
