Former referees slam VAR over penalty to theRangers

Video assistant referee Steven Kirkland has been slammed for failing to step in on the major penalty incident in the Livingston-theRangers game which has been described as cheating.

And it’s claimed that the failure to do so will only increase calls to get rid of the new technology.

Former Grade 1 referees Steve Conroy and Des Roache are staggered that there was no review when Steven McLean awarded a spotkick for Shamal George’s challenge on Ross McAusland.

Conroy told https://www.bestwallet.com : “What on earth was VAR doing? It makes a complete mockery of it. If VAR does not get involved then they think there was no clear & obvious error. That is appalling

“VAR is brought into further disrepute if that incident is deemed not worthy of a review. The clamour for its abandonment will be enhanced by that awful decision.”

Roache reckons McAusland was trying to win the penalty and has conned McLean into making the award.

He said: “I think it’s cheating – and again VAR proving it is inept. It’s backing up a wrong decision. They have simply compounded the mistake. Both are wrong – plain and simple.

“There is nothing wrong with the technology – it’s the referee and the video assistant.”

theRangers we’re awarded their usual two penalties this afternoon as they won 2-0 to narrow Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to five points ahead of the game against Aberdeen kicking off.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

5 Comments

  1. Exactly!!! You said it here. It’s not the technology it’s the officials we need rid of. Why should we go back to the honest mistake mind set. I am starting to get the feeling that is what some people want. Speak out Celtic !!!

  2. Well said BRIAN , Var simply makes thier cheating clearer for all to see , we were naive to think it would give us a more honest game , the bias remains .

    • The whole refereeing system is corrupt and needs investigated to rid ourselves of the currupt referees currently occupying gatherings comfortable seats in office.

  3. Stephen McCartan on

    will never be stopped until teams start walking off the park and saying they are not putting up with it any more then fifa have got to get involved