Rangers have expressed “serious concerns” after the two VAR officials involved in their League Cup final defeat by Celtic were reinstated for league games.
Alan Muir – who was the VAR for the match at Hampden Park – and his assistant Frank Connor were not on home duty last weekend after made an “unacceptable” error, according to Scottish FA refereeing boss Willie Collum.
Vaclav Cerny was brought down by Celtic defender Liam Scales in the first half of extra time, with on-field referee John Beaton ruling the incident occurred outside the penalty area.
While footage 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 shot.
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 against Celtic in their League Cup final defeat
after that, Gers boss Philippe Clement said it was “really strange” that Muir and Connor did not intervene, whereas the club's new chief executive Patrick Stewart demanded an explanation for the incident. The Rangers then went on to describe the incident as “detrimental to the credibility of Scottish football more broadly”.
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 attacked SFA again.
Appointments affect 'credibility and confidence'
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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 regarding 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 the two VAR officials involved in the refereeing failure during the recent Premier Sports Cup final. We also note that one of the officials was appointed to an SPFL Premiership game involving the club benefiting from the error.
“The actions of the Scottish FA raise questions about their commitment to improving refereeing standards and strengthening accountability. While Rangers FC fully respects the independence of referee appointments and the need for referees to work without interference, how the Scottish FA deals with such high-profile failings directly affects its credibility and public trust .
“The decision to return the officials to work so quickly, particularly for a performance involving a club that benefited from the error in question, has drawn widespread media criticism for the failure of the referee and the officials concerned. It was both predictable and avoidable, and is contrary to with any stated duty of care of the Scottish FA to its officials.
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Rangers manager Philippe Clement speaks after Scottish FA referee boss Willie Collum admitted a penalty should have been awarded in League Cup final defeat to Celtic
“Mistakes happen in football and how they are dealt with is of the utmost importance. We call on the Scottish FA to show 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 Scottish FA's authority or integrity or independence officials, but to encourage improved standards and accountability This is not about good governance.
“Rangers FC expects tangible steps to be taken and remains committed to holding the Scottish FA to account in the interests of the game.”
Sky Sports News has contacted the Scottish FA.