Rangers have released an official statement pertaining to the reintroduction of VAR officials who worked during the Scottish League Cup final.
The officials, Alan Muir and Frank Connor, were suspended from duty following a well-publicised failure to award Rangers with a penalty in extra-time at the national stadium on December 15.
SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum thereafter addressed the incident, saying Muir and Connor got the call wrong on the day.
As announced on Monday evening (December 23), however, Muir and Connor are returning to duty sooner than expected - with the latter set to run the line at Rugby Park on Boxing Day for Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen; with Muir set to do the same at Celtic Park against St Johnstone on December 29.
Rangers have now responded to Muir and Connor's reintroduction.
Posted on the official Rangers website, here is the club's message in full:
"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."
Read more:
- Every word as Willie Collum fillets Rangers error VAR team
- The Rangers penalty call that divided SFA & KMI panel
The statement added: "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."
