Rangers slam SFA in Christmas Eve statement as they demand answers
Rangers have demanded answers after Vaclav Cerny was denied a penalty in their Premier Sports Cup Final loss to Celtic
Rangers have released a Christmas Eve statement in which they slam the SFA after the blundering Premier Sports Cup Final VAR officials were handed Scottish Premiership fixtures over the festive period. One of the fixtures involve Celtic and comes just a couple of weeks after the Hampden controversy.
New Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart demanded answers after Vaclav Cerny was denied a penalty in their Hampden defeat to the Hoops on December 13. Refs boss Willie Collum admitted that the Clydesdale House duo Frank Connor and Alan Muir got it wrong and they were stood down from last weekend's games.
However, both are back in action this week, with Connor back in the VAR room on St Stephen's Day for Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen before running the line at the weekend for Celtic's clash with St Johnstone. Muir is VAR for St Mirren vs Dundee on Thursday, reports The Daily Record.
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That hasn't been missed in Govan and the Light Blues have released a scathing Christmas Eve Statement questioning the governing body's commitment to "improving officiating standards," describing the Hampden howler as a "high profile failure." They also claim that reinstating Muir and Connor has resulted in "predictable and avoidable" media scrutiny while raising concerns over the fact the latter is involved in a Hoops game.
It 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."
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