Rangers have intensified the ongoing debate by releasing a statement criticizing the SFA’s decision to reinstate two VAR officials involved in a controversial decision during their Premier Sports Cup defeat to Celtic earlier this month.
The incident, which saw Rangers denied a clear penalty for a foul on Vaclav Cerny, led to apologies from head of refereeing Willie Collum.
VAR official Alan Muir and his assistant Frank Connor were removed from duties for the subsequent round of matches.
However, both have now returned to officiating, with Connor set to serve as assistant referee for Celtic’s match against St Johnstone on December 29.
Keith Hackett calls for caution
Former PGMOL general manager Keith Hackett has weighed in, criticizing the timing of the officials’ reinstatement, particularly their involvement in matches featuring the two teams affected by the original controversy.
“Firstly, the Scottish FA by sanctioning both officials recognised the seriousness of the error that was made,” Hackett told Ibrox News.
“They will have determined the length of the sanction period and hopefully will have provided operational advice and support to the two officials.
“It appears that the SFA considered a one-match sanction sufficient.
“When I was boss of the PGMOL, when a major error was made, I would sanction the official by not appointing them to games.
“No public announcement was made but I’d be mindful that by not appointing them to two or three games, I was taking them out of the media spotlight allowing things to calm down.
“The action by the SFA was in the public domain and focused the media attention to demonstrate a level of accountability was in force.
“Personally, I would have suggested the New Year before making an appointment.
“I would also have refrained from appointing them to either of the teams involved in the controversy.”
Rangers voice their frustration
In a statement on their official website, Rangers expressed “serious concerns” over the swift reinstatement of the officials, particularly Connor’s appointment to a Celtic match. The club has formally contacted the SFA to voice their discontent.
However, Hackett believes Rangers could have handled the situation more discreetly.
“There are clearly channels of communication available to Rangers where they could have expressed their concerns,” the former Premier League referee said.
“Going public does not help the situation, it inflames it.
“Clubs at no stage can dictate what the sanction might be or which officials are appointed to games. That sadly would damage the integrity of the competition.
“These observations are made in the knowledge that a game in Belgium where a VAR error was made will be replayed.”
Hackett’s remarks suggest that the SFA’s decision to reintroduce Muir and Connor so soon has not only reignited tensions but also drawn fresh scrutiny to the handling of referee accountability in Scottish football.
Its called Karma…. and it just got started