Rangers question reinstatement of League Cup final VAR officials

Rangers have raised “serious concerns” with the Scottish FA after match officials who made a crucial mistake in the Premier Sports Cup final were reinstated after missing just one round of top-level fixtures.

Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum admitted last week that VAR officials Alan Muir and Frank Connor had made a “really, really poor” and “unacceptable” mistake in not awarding Rangers a penalty against Celtic early in extra time with the score tied at 3-3.

Rangers went on to lose the final in a penalty shoot-out but later complained about the decision.

While the Scottish FA did not confirm that Muir and Connor had been stood down, neither official was appointed to a match last weekend.

However, the pair are officiating in festive fixtures with Connor acting as assistant referee at Kilmarnock v Aberdeen on Boxing Day and then in the same role for Celtic’s home game against St Johnstone on December 29.

Muir will be back in the VAR room on Boxing Day to officiate St Mirren’s home match against Dundee.

Rangers have questioned the Scottish FA’s governance, saying the swift return of the officials “affects credibility and public confidence”, while also suggesting the organisation was failing in it’s duty of care towards Muir and Connor.

The Ibrox club also highlighted that one of the matches Connor will be officiating involves Celtic, who benefitted from the Cup Final error.

A Rangers statement 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.”

The Scottish FA has been contacted for comment.