Rangers’ Concerns Over VAR Officials’ Swift Reinstatement
Rangers Football Club recently issued a statement expressing serious concerns about the Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) decision to swiftly reinstate VAR officials Alan Muir and Frank Connor. These officials had previously been suspended following a controversial incident during the Scottish League Cup final on December 15.
The SFA’s head of refereeing, Willie Collum, acknowledged that Muir and Connor had made an incorrect call during the final. Despite this, the officials are set to return to duty sooner than expected, with Connor officiating at Rugby Park on Boxing Day for Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen, and Muir doing the same at Celtic Park against St Johnstone on December 29.
Rangers’ official statement, posted on their website, questions the SFA’s commitment to improving officiating standards and fostering accountability. The club expressed concerns about the rapid reinstatement of the officials involved in the officiating failure, particularly in matches involving Rangers. This move has raised doubts about the SFA’s credibility and public confidence in their decision-making process.
The statement emphasized the importance of addressing mistakes in football transparently and urged the SFA to demonstrate a genuine desire to enhance the quality and consistency of officiating. Rangers emphasized that their goal is not to challenge the authority of the SFA or the integrity of match officials but to promote improved standards and accountability in the sport.
The club expects concrete actions to be taken by the SFA to uphold the interests of the game and ensure that officiating standards are continuously improved. By holding the SFA accountable, Rangers aims to contribute to the overall integrity and fairness of football in Scotland.
