Rangers fume at ‘clearly unacceptable’ SFA decision as talks set to take place on Wednesday
Rangers have hit out at the SFA’s “clearly unacceptable” decision to postpone talks over a controversial decision in the Old Firm derby until at least Wednesday (3 January).
Philippe Clement suffered defeat for the first time as Rangers boss on Saturday (30 December) as Celtic ran out 2-1 victors in a blockbuster clash at Celtic Park.
However, the Gers were left up in arms about a decision not to award a penalty against Alistair Johnson for handball in the first half.
Rangers have been left “astonished” by the decision and are fuming at the failure to release the audio from discussions involving the VAR. They have also criticised a decision that talks will not take place until after the next round of Scottish Premiership fixtures.
A Rangers statement reported by the Daily Record (31 December) read: “Despite repeated Rangers FC requests, the Scottish FA have so far failed to disclose the VAR audio to allow the club to understand the process around the non-award of a penalty in the first half of yesterday’s Old Firm match. Rangers officials stand ready to meet in-person or virtually with the Scottish FA at any time to hear and discuss the audio.
“However, the Scottish FA are refusing to both share the VAR audio and meet until at least Wednesday, five days after the Old Firm match and after the next round of Scottish Premiership fixtures. This is clearly unacceptable and heightens Rangers’ concerns over the lack of transparency, for which the need is urgent.
“Rangers have learned no penalty was awarded as the VAR official, Willie Collum, concluded a handball offence had not occurred in the first half. While the club and most observers are astonished by this ‘professional’ view, we remain perplexed and concerned about the Scottish FA’s motivations for sharing an offside image with broadcasters during the second half, when this was not the original reason why the penalty was not awarded.
“England’s Premier League and other leading European Leagues operate on a ‘nothing to hide’ basis, where open communication and full transparency are available to clubs and the public on contentious VAR calls in a timely manner. On a weekend where not only Rangers but also fellow Scottish FA member clubs have major questions over potentially match-changing incidents, our governing body would do well to heed that same mantra.”
Unforgivable
Look, no one wants to be discussing officials, no one wants to be blaming referees, or the VAR, or any of the officials. All anyone wants is to be discussing the football, not controversial decisions.
And the fact is none of us really know if the outcome of the game would have been different had a penalty be awarded, but it certainly would have helped Rangers and it really did look a confusing decision.
What really is unforgivable is delaying the talks with Rangers. Okay, it’s New Year’s Eve, then New Year’s Day but delaying these discussions until after another round of Premiership fixtures really does not sit right.
As for Rangers, there is absolutely no time to sit and dwell on might have been. It is a case of lick the wounds, reground, and go again. This title race is not over because of this game, it’s time to refocus on the greater prize.
In other Rangers news, one Steven Gerrard signing is surely finished at Ibrox.