Rangers Football Club has vocally expressed “serious concerns” to the Scottish Football Association (SFA) following the decision to reinstate the two Video Assistant Referees (VAR) responsible for a contentious non-decision during the League Cup final against Celtic on December 15.
The club has requested clarity from the SFA on why Frank Connor and Alan Muir, the officials criticized for their “really, really poor” and “unacceptable” failure to award Rangers a penalty, have been returned to officiating duties so soon.
The Controversial Incident
The disputed incident involved Celtic’s Liam Scales pulling down Vaclav Cerny during a free-kick, which many argued should have resulted in a penalty for Rangers. However, no spot-kick was awarded, leaving Rangers fans and management outraged. The match ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, with Celtic claiming victory on penalties.
SFA referee operations head Willie Collum admitted post-match that the decision was a glaring mistake and unacceptable at this level of professional football. Despite the gravity of the error, neither Connor nor Muir officiated in top-flight games the weekend after the match, but both have since been scheduled for upcoming fixtures.
Return to Duty Sparks New Outrage
Frank Connor is now listed to officiate matches such as Kilmarnock v Aberdeen on Thursday and Celtic v St Johnstone on Sunday. Meanwhile, Alan Muir is assigned to VAR duty for Sunday’s St Mirren v Dundee fixture. Adding to the controversy, one of these appointments involves Celtic, the club that benefited from the original error.
Rangers released an official statement saying the SFA’s decision raises concerns about “improving officiating standards and fostering accountability.” The club emphasized its respect for referees’ independence but questioned the timing and appropriateness of these appointments.
Rangers Demand Accountability
The statement from Rangers FC outlined the critical importance of addressing officiating mistakes transparently to maintain confidence in the sport.
“We urge the Scottish FA to demonstrate its desire to improve the quality and consistency of officiating and to do so in a transparent manner,” the statement read. “This is not about influence. It is about good governance.”
While acknowledging that errors are part of football, Rangers emphasized that how these mistakes are rectified reflects the credibility of the organization responsible. The club also called for tangible steps to ensure higher refereeing standards moving forward.
Wider Media Scrutiny
The decision to reinstate Connor and Muir has attracted significant media attention. Critics argue the move undermines public confidence in the SFA’s ability to enforce accountability, particularly when one of the reinstated officials is officiating a match involving Celtic—the team at the center of the controversy.
The SFA has yet to respond publicly to Rangers’ statement.
What This Means for Scottish Football
The ongoing debate surrounding VAR decisions has become a flashpoint for the need to overhaul officiating standards in Scottish football. Rangers’ strong stance on the matter highlights growing frustrations among clubs and fans about the perceived lack of transparency and accountability within the officiating system.
Rangers’ demands for reform could pave the way for improved governance within the SFA, ensuring that mistakes made in matches of such magnitude are not repeated.
This controversy serves as a reminder of the shifting expectations in modern football, where technology like VAR is held to the highest standards—but must also be matched by proficient oversight.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and sparks broader discussions on the future of officiating standards in Scottish football.