Rangers footage to be studied by referees after latest SFA apology – Exclusive
Rangers were at the centre of yet another contentious refereeing decision in last week’s win over Livingston.
Mohamed Diomande fired Rangers to a 2-1 win over Livingston last Saturday, but only after the Gers got a bit of refereeing luck earlier in the game.
Tete Yengi’s goal-bound shot hit Emmanuel Fernandez on the arm with the scores at 1-1, with Livingston furiously appealing a penalty at Ibrox.
Speaking on Wednesday, Livi chairman Calvin Ford revealed he had spoken to Scottish Football Association (SFA) chiefs and they offered an apology over the error.
Keith Hackett praises Willie Collum for accepting refereeing mistakes
Rangers have been involved in numerous contentious issues this season, not least in the recent Premier Sports Cup defeat to Celtic.
Willie Collum was told he got it wrong over his defence of Nick Walsh, who should have sent off Celtic’s Auston Trusty for kicking Jack Butland’s head.
While that is in the past, Livingston are now upset at being denied a penalty at Ibrox that would have put them 2-1 ahead if converted last week.
But former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has praised SFA refs chief Collum for at least acknowledging errors, with this latest one now being used as an example for officials moving forward.
“I do think Willie Collum is operating in a transparent manner and judging these controversial incidents,” he exclusively told Ibrox News.
“Acknowledging the error, the incident can now be discussed amongst the refs to avoid repeating the error in future games.”
Rangers‘ win over Livingston sees them occupy fifth place in the Scottish Premiership, now nine points behind leaders Hearts with a game in hand.
Rangers at risk of fine over SFA complaints
Rangers have not held back in criticising referees this season, with the boiling point proving to be that Celtic clash at Hampden Park.
However, speaking previously to Ibrox News, Hackett said Rangers run the risk of being fined should they continue to publicly call out officials.
| Fixture | Date | Competition | Venue |
| Braga | 27/11 | Europa League | Ibrox |
| Falkirk | 30/11 | Scottish Premiership | Ibrox |
| Dundee United | 03/12 | Scottish Premiership | Tannadice |
| Kilmarnock | 06/12 | Scottish Premiership | Rugby Park |
It seems that there is a new controversy with each passing week, with Livingston this time on the wrong end of a bad call.
They say these decisions even themselves out over the course of the campaign, but being helped on a way to a win over Livi does not make up for the refereeing horror show against Celtic.
Standards need to improve drastically in Scotland, with this just another example of the type of error that cannot be made.
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