Controversial whistler Nick Walsh is under fire again after Nicolas Raskin’s ghost goal was ignored during Rangers’ explosive 2-2 draw with Hibs.
Rangers legend John Brown blasted the decision not to award Raskin a first half goal as ‘corrupt’ live on RangersTV after replays showed the ball had appeared to cross the line.
Nicolas Raskin had got himself on the end of a Mohamed Diomande pass to poke the ball underneath Jordan Smith, with Rocky Bushiri unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.
With Rangers already 1-0 up, a second goal would’ve given Hibs a mountain to climb and positioned Rangers as favourites to go on and win the game.
Remarkably, Walsh failed to award a goal on the field of play, VAR refused to intervene and Hibs raced up the other end of the pitch to equalise at 1-1.
The decision has since sparked a debate about goal-line technology in stingy Scottish football and now Raskin himself has taken aim at the referee team.
Stunned Nicolas Raskin takes aim at ‘strange’ decision
Taking to social media after the eventual 2-2 Scottish Premiership draw at Easter Road, Raskin took aim at Nick Walsh and co.
Insisting the decision isn’t a good look for Scottish football, Raskin was about as confused as the rest of us.
Whilst this goal was disallowed, Raskin would score a header from a James Tavernier corner in the second half to restore the Ibrox side’s advantage.
Martin Boyle would then score a second equaliser for Hibs and round off the scoring at Easter Road.
Raskin’s tweet reads: “Not a good image, no goal then 🤨🤨. Play on boys 😬😬.”
The comment comes after Nicolas Raskin told RangersTV after the game he was astounded that the goal wasn’t awarded.
”Something must be happening the VAR and they’ve not seen that we score the second (goal),” Raskin said.
”I thought it was a goal to be honest but then I was doubting and then I went to see the images at half-time and I was like wow, it’s clearly a goal.
”Again, a strange decision but we’ve got 90 minutes to score another goal so it’s not because of that we’ve not won.”
Speaking to the press at full-time, Raskin added: “I just think we’ve put the VAR for those things, you know?
“And just hearing on the pitch that there is ‘no clear images’ that show the ball is in is a bit funny when I see the images and when everybody sees the images we all think, that’s a goal.
“This season I’ve seen some crazy decisions, if I think about the last Dundee game when there was a hand ball, it’s just, I don’t know how to explain that. If you can see it and I can see it, surely the VAR can see it?“
According to BBC Sport, VAR Andrew Dallas was not presented with sufficient evidence that the ball actually crossed the line so the goal was not given.
Rangers and Barry Ferguson take aim at Hibs call
Rangers insist the decision highlights the need for goal-line technology to be introduced to Scottish football.
Incidents like this again bring into question the effectiveness of VAR and also highlight the deficiencies of Scottish football’s budget officiating system.
“Our supporters, players and staff deserve better. We will raise this with the Scottish FA and continue to press for initiatives which improve the accuracy of decision-making,” said a Gers statement, as quoted by the Herald.
“Our supporters, players and staff deserve better. We will raise this with the Scottish FA and continue to press for initiatives which improve the accuracy of decision-making.”
Rangers manager Barry Ferguson described the call as ‘baffling’ come full-time and bit his tongue out of fear of further sanctions.
“Baffling,” Ferguson said. “I don’t want to get myself in trouble, but it was baffling. That’s all I can say.
“I saw it when it happened, watched it at half-time and at the end. What’s the point? Nick won’t speak. The fourth official was brand new but the referee wasn’t interested.
“It should be getting checked by VAR, that’s why we have it. It’s clearly over the line, so it was disappointing. But I’ve seen it all season, decisions like that. Not just with Rangers, in other games that I watch.
“That was mind-blowing today. You don’t need technology for that incident. It’s clear to see it’s over the line. It’s got to be up there with the worst I’ve seen.”
