Rangers have expressed “serious concerns” after two VAR officials involved in their League Cup final loss to Celtic were reinstated to top-flight matches.
Alan Muir – who was VAR for the match at Hampden Park – and his assistant Frank Connor were not on domestic duty last weekend after committing an “unacceptable” mistake, 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 adjudged the incident to have taken place outside the box.
While footage appeared to show the foul was on the line of the box, Muir and Connor did not overrule the on-field decision – with the score level at 3-3 in extra-time, before Rangers went on to lose the shoot-out.
Collum added it was “not a difficult decision for the VAR team” and that they were “not forensic enough in the analysis”.
In the aftermath, Gers boss Philippe Clement said it was “really weird” that Muir and Connor did not intervene, while new club CEO Patrick Stewart asked for an explanation over the incident. Rangers then went on to describe the incident as “damaging for the credibility of Scottish football more widely”.
Now, following the appointment of Muir as VAR for St Mirren vs Dundee on December 29, plus Connor’s return to the touchline as assistant referee at Rugby Park for Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen on Boxing Day and at Celtic Park when Celtic host St Johnstone on December 29 – Rangers have hit out at the SFA again.
Appointments impact ‘credibility and confidence’
A statement read: “Rangers FC has contacted the Scottish FA to express serious concerns and ask several questions regarding the swift reinstatement of the two VAR officials involved in the officiating failure during the recent Premier Sports Cup Final. We also note one of the officials has been appointed to an SPFL Premiership match involving the club that benefitted from the error.
“The Scottish FA’s actions raise questions about their commitment to improving officiating standards and fostering accountability. 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.
“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 was both predictable and avoidable, and contradicts any stated duty of care from the Scottish FA towards their match officials.
“Mistakes do happen in football, and how they are addressed matters enormously. 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. 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.
“Rangers FC expects tangible steps to be taken and remains committed to holding the Scottish FA accountable in the interests of the game.”
Sky Sports News has contacted the Scottish FA.
