Rangers ‘express concern’ after Hampden VAR officials are reinstated
Rangers said they had “contacted the Scottish Football Association to express serious concerns and raise several questions” following the reinstatement of two VAR officials for the League Cup final in December.
Willie Collum, the SFA’s head of refereeing operations, said it was a “very, very big deal” that Frank Connor and Alan Muir did not award a penalty against Rangers in the final on December 15. Terrible” and “unacceptable” decision, Celtic ultimately won the game 3-3 on penalties.
The incident involved Liam Scales pulling on Vaclav Cerny as he was awarded a free kick.
Neither Connor nor Muir played in the top flight on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
However, Connor will be one of the assistant referees for Kilmarnock’s game against Aberdeen on Thursday and Celtic’s game against St Johnstone on Sunday, while Muir will be on VAR duty for St Mirren’s game against Dundee on Sunday.
“We are also aware that one of the officials has been appointed to an SPFL Premiership match involving a club that benefited from an error,” Rangers said in a statement.
“The Scottish Football Association’s actions raise questions about its commitment to raising refereeing standards and increasing accountability.
“While Rangers Football Club fully respects the independence of referee appointments and the need for referees to operate without interference, how the Scottish Football Association handles such a high-profile failing has direct implications for its credibility and public confidence.
“Reinstating a referee’s decision so quickly, particularly for a match involving a club that had benefited from the error in question, brought widespread media attention to the refereeing error and the officials involved. This was both foreseeable and avoidable, and “Contradictory to any error.” The Scottish Football Association made clear its duty of care to its match officials. “
Rangers also said “mistakes do happen in football” but added: “How they are addressed is very important.
“We urge the Scottish Football Association to demonstrate its desire to improve the quality and consistency of refereeing and to do this in a transparent manner.
“We are not trying to challenge the authority of the Scottish Football Association or the integrity or independence of match officials, but to encourage higher standards and accountability. It’s not about influence, it’s about good governance.
“Rangers want practical steps to be taken and remain committed to holding the Scottish FA to account in the interests of the game.”
The State Forestry Administration has been contacted for response.
