Rangers have once again taken aim at the Scottish Football Association (SFA) following the controversial decisions made during the Premier Sports Cup Final.
The criticism comes after the VAR officials involved in the high-profile incident were assigned new Premiership fixtures over the festive period, including one involving Celtic just weeks after the Hampden controversy.
New Ibrox CEO Patrick Stewart demanded answers after Vaclav Cerny was denied a penalty during Rangers’ Hampden loss to Celtic.
Refereeing boss Willie Collum later admitted that VAR officials Frank Connor and Alan Muir made the wrong call and stood them down for the subsequent round of matches.
However, both have now been reinstated, with Connor assigned to the VAR room for Kilmarnock vs. Aberdeen on Boxing Day and as an assistant referee for Celtic’s clash with St. Johnstone over the weekend. Muir, meanwhile, will serve as VAR for St. Mirren vs. Dundee on Thursday.
The swift return of the officials hasn’t gone unnoticed at Ibrox, prompting Rangers to release a strongly worded statement on Christmas Eve questioning the SFA’s commitment to improving officiating standards.
The club described the Hampden error as a “high-profile failure” and criticized the decision to involve Connor in a match featuring Celtic, the club that benefitted from the controversial call.
Rangers’ Christmas Eve Statement
“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.”
The statement underscores Rangers’ frustration with the SFA’s handling of officiating controversies and its broader impact on the credibility of Scottish football. As the debate continues, the Light Blues have called for greater transparency and accountability in refereeing decisions.