Raging Rangers fan board blast SFA chiefs over 'mocking disdain' in VAR row and call for independent refs review
The group backed the Ibrox club's hardline stance as the Cup final fury continues
The Rangers Fan Advisory Board have lashed out at SFA chiefs Ian Maxwell and Mike Mulraney over their “mocking” response to the Ibrox club’s VAR rage - and called for an independent examination into the Hampden refereeing department.
The Ibrox club released a scathing statement after blundering duo Alan Muir and Frank Connor, slammed by SFA refs chief Willie Collum for failing to award Rangers a penalty in their Premier Sports Cup final defeat to Celtic earlier this month, were quickly appointed fixtures, including one involving the Hoops with Connor running the line at Parkhead on Sunday against St Johnstone.
The Rangers Supporters Association released a statement backing the club and now the Fan Advisory Board have followed. SFA chief executive Maxwell had said there will always be human errors with VAR when he spoke in the days following the furore.
The Gers Fan Advisory Board was set up last year to provide a link between supporters and the hierarchy and in a Boxing Day statement they said: “We wholeheartedly support the stance taken by Rangers over recent failures in Scottish refereeing and echo the calls of the RSA (Rangers Supporters Association) 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 a 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 Ian 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 referees. Rangers - and Scottish football - deserve better.”
The Rangers Supporters Association released a statement on Tuesday, saying they "fully support the Club Statement directed at the Scottish Football Association.
"The clarity and robustness of the message meets the basic expectation of the Rangers support. This is a time for directness and standing up for our club, it is clear that other approaches have not worked in recent years as we looked to perhaps build bridges with those who oversee football in this country.
"It appears other clubs have a right to reply but the two-tier system in place does not allow Rangers or their fans the right to question and hold people to account. "It is perhaps not surprising the decision to reinstate certain officials to important fixtures over the festive period, we have come to expect this type of action and decision making, only in this country would this occur. "We urge the club to continue this more direct approach, conciliatory responses and acceptance have not led to any improved outcomes – we may stand alone but all at Rangers stand together."