Rangers statement hammers SFA 'accountability' as SPFL appoint referee to Celtic match
12/24/2024 07:45 AM
Rangers have hammered the SFA for the 'swift reinstatement' of the VAR officials involved in the Premier Sports Cup penalty fiasco.
VAR duo Alan Muir and Frank Connor were dropped for the weekend's round of Scottish Premiership fixtures but will be back in action later this week.
Controversially, Connor will also be officiating in a match involving Celtic, something which has drawn particular scrutiny from Rangers.
Frank Connor will be assistant referee to Callum Scott when Kilmarnock host Aberdeen on Boxing Day.
The controversial referee will also be the assistant to Matthew McDermid when Celtic host St Johnstone on the 29th of December.
This is also when Alan Muir makes his return to officiating in Scotland, the official the VAR when St Mirren host Dundee.
Rangers contact SFA over VAR officials
Rangers have posted a statement on the club's official website:
"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."
Rangers shots fired at SFA and Hampden
Rangers have fired shots at the SFA for the decision to reinstate the officials with a fear the situation would simply be swept under the carpet.
Rangers are furious after Alan Muir and Frank Connor failed to award the club a penalty kick in extra time of the 3-3 draw with Celtic at Hampden.
With Rangers going on to lose on penalties, the decision had a monumental impact on the game with head of refereeing Willie Collum branding the decision 'unacceptable'.
Now both officials involved – with the dubious VAR audio only adding to the confusion around the decision – are back on officiating duties.
Rangers clearly have their reservations about the competency and professionalism of these whistlers and the club has not held back in this statement.
