Scottish FA responds to Rangers' allegations after meeting to...

Scottish FA responds to Rangers’ allegations after meeting to hear audio from the VAR

Scottish FA are “disappointed” by Rangers’ claims after meeting on Wednesday; Ibrox club said “overriding

consensus” Alistair Johnston handball decision was wrong in loss at Celtic; SFA say handball check “subjective” and

explain why offside not mentioned in initial VAR audio.

After the Gers CEO James Bisgrove and DoF operations Creag Robertson requested the release of VAR audio

regarding an appeal for handball against Celtic’s Alistair Johnston, which was examined by VAR Willie Collum at the

time but not granted, SFA head of referee operations Crawford Allan met with them.

Forward Abdallah Sima’s offside position was also brought up in the second half. Rangers, however, maintained the

audio did not debate offside, despite the fact that there was a “overwhelming consensus” that the initial handball

ruling had been wrong.

However, the SFA the handball call was “subjective” and “the VAR did not deem it a sufficiently clear and obvious

error to refer to on field review.”

The national body also clarified “offside would not have been mentioned at the time as it was not part of the VAR’s

decision-making on the handball.”

A statement read

“The Scottish FA is disappointed by contents of the most recent statement issued by Rangers in

relation to a match incident during the club’s recent Premiership fixture against Celtic.

“Chief Executive James Bisgrove and Director of Football Operations Creag Robertson attended a private briefing

with the Head of Referee Operations, Crawford Allan, to review the incident in question, including the use of

matchday audio. We understood from the chief executive that the meeting had been constructive and informative,

and conducted amicably.

Rangers has urged the Scottish FA to make the audio available and provide an explanation for this ruling as well as

any upcoming disputed

judgments involving all clubs, to the public, in line with the custom of such decisions in England.

“The team expects the Scottish FA will address many specific concerns it has made in order to enhance

issues moving ahead”