Raging Rangers Slam SFA Delays As VAR Audio Row From Celtic ‘Handball’ Incident Rolls On

 

FURIOUS Rangers chiefs have slammed the SFA for stalling on their VAR-gate audio demand.

The Ibrox club are raging over a controversial penalty incident in Sunday’s Old Firm defeat to Celtic.

They have demanded to hear the conversation between referee Nick Walsh and VAR Willie Collum.

But they claim Hampden beaks have refused to hold talks until Wednesday.Raging Rangers slam SFA delays as VAR audio row from Celtic ‘handball’ incident  rolls on | The Scottish Sun

A club spokesperson has hit out and said: “Despite repeated Rangers FC requests, the Scottish FA have so far failed to disclose the VAR audio to allow the club to understand the process around the non-award of a penalty in the first half of yesterday’s Old Firm match.

“Rangers officials stand ready to meet in-person or virtually with the Scottish FA at any time to hear and discuss the audio.

“However, the Scottish FA are refusing to both share the VAR audio and meet until at least Wednesday, five days after the Old Firm match and after the next round of Scottish Premiership fixtures.

“This is clearly unacceptable and heightens Rangers’ concerns over the lack of transparency, for which the need is urgent.”

Rangers wanted a penalty after Celts defender Alistair Johnston handled the ball inside the box.

Ref Walsh missed the incident.

And it’s understood VAR Collum didn’t believe any spot-kick should be awarded after viewing the video footage.

But it was only 17 minutes later that broadcasters Sky were informed that an Abdallah Sima was off-side.

The Rangers statement added: “Rangers have learned no penalty was awarded as the VAR official, Willie Collum, concluded a handball offence had not occurred in the first half.

“While the club and most observers are astonished by this ‘professional’ view, we remain perplexed and concerned about the Scottish FA’s motivations for sharing an offside image with broadcasters during the second half, when this was not the original reason why the penalty was not awarded.

“England’s Premier League and other leading European Leagues operate on a ‘nothing to hide’ basis, where open communication and full transparency are available to clubs and the public on contentious VAR calls in a timely manner.

“On a weekend where not only Rangers but also fellow Scottish FA member clubs have major questions over potentially match-changing incidents, our governing body would do well to heed that same mantra.”