The Rangers Fan Advisory Board have called for an investigation into officiating in Scotland.
Rangers this week released a statement criticising the SFA after VAR blunder refs Frank Connor and Alan Muir were handed games in the Premiership after their Premier Sports Cup final error.
Ibrox chiefs are asking for greater “accountability” for match officials, especially after Connor was chosen to take part in Celtic’s fixture.
Gers supporters were happy with the club’s stance and praised them and reckoned it was an improvement on previous communications on the matter.
While ex-referees Steve Conroy and Des Roache were also backing Rangers on it.
The pair, who have the podcast The Ref’s View, got involved on social media and said the club were right to question Connor’s swift appointment to a Celtic game, branding it “disgraceful.”
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Rangers Fan Advisory Board back club on SFA stance
The FAB are backing the club on it and are calling for a probe into the “processes and governance of Scottish refereeing.”
A statement from them has branded the decision to reinstate the pair “inept” and has also slammed SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and president Mike Mulraney for their public handling of the situation.
It reads: “We wholeheartedly support the stance taken by Rangers over recent failures in Scottish refereeing and echo the calls of the RSA for the club to continue its direct and robust approach in its dealings with the SFA on these issues.
“Sadly, the decision to reinstate inept officials so quickly to high profile fixtures following their inexplicable decision-making at the League Cup final comes as no surprise.
“The refereeing department at Hampden has clearly been emboldened by the mocking disdain that was shamefully displayed by the SFA’s CEO lan Maxwell in a rare public appearance in the aftermath of the final.
“Stakeholders in Scottish football – not just Rangers – are also done a disservice when serious issues raised by member clubs around the professionalism of our officials are dealt with in such a flippant manner by the SFA President Mike Mulraney, who should hold himself to a far higher standard.
“It is surely time for a full, independent examination of the processes and governance of Scottish refereeing, including those responsible for administering and developing our officials. Rangers – and Scottish football – deserve better.”
What Rangers have said about the SFA
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.”
