SFA Employee Axed Over Rangers and Celtic Oversights
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has taken drastic action in response to controversies surrounding Rangers and Celtic this season. Willie Collum, the Head of Referee Operations at the SFA, has decided to axe Alan Muir as a VAR official due to high-profile errors in the Scottish League Cup final between Rangers and Celtic, which Celtic won on penalties, and an incorrect call that saw a Celtic goal wrongly disallowed against Hibernian in February.
The Decision to Axe Muir
Muir was kept off matches for a couple of weeks and is now out of work as a result of the oversights. Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes that the decision to axe Muir is understandable in the circumstances and is one he would like to see replicated south of the border in the English Premier League.
Hackett’s Comments
Hackett spoke exclusively to Ibrox News, saying: “Willie Collum has set a high personal standard in his own officiating career. I have long advocated that if match officials do not meet the expected standard of officiating either on the field or in the VAR room, then after appropriate operational advice and if their performances carefully monitored do not improve, then they should be removed from office.”
Comparison to the Premier League
Hackett also compared the situation to the Premier League, saying: “Sadly, we have witnessed major errors been made by VAR officials in the Premier League and the opposite happens. An example was VAR Paul Tierney failing to advise the referee to review the James Tarkowski challenge [in Everton’s loss versus Liverpool] which was a red card offence, only to receive a follow-up appointment operating as VAR for the Manchester derby.”
Call for Tougher Management
Hackett suggested that tougher management and accountability should be applied by the PGMOL, saying: “I suggest that tougher management and accountability should be applied by the PGMOL with similar action.”
Impact on Philippe Clement
The error may have cost Philippe Clement his Rangers job, as Rangers were denied a penalty against Celtic for a foul on Vaclav Cerny inside the opposition box. Rangers – competition progress 2024-25:
- Scottish Premiership: 2nd
- Scottish Cup: Fifth round
- League Cup: Runners-up
- Europa League: Quarter-finals
Conclusion
The SFA’s decision to axe Alan Muir as a VAR official is a significant move, and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes that it is a step in the right direction. The controversy surrounding Rangers and Celtic this season has raised questions about the consistency and accuracy of refereeing in Scotland, and it remains to be seen how the SFA will address these issues in the future.
Key Points
- SFA Employee Axed: Alan Muir has been axed as a VAR official due to high-profile errors in the Scottish League Cup final between Rangers and Celtic.
- Hackett’s Comments: Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes that the decision to axe Muir is understandable in the circumstances.
- Comparison to the Premier League: Hackett compared the situation to the Premier League, where VAR officials have made major errors without facing similar consequences.
- Call for Tougher Management: Hackett suggested that tougher management and accountability should be applied by the PGMOL.
- Impact on Philippe Clement: The error may have cost Philippe Clement his Rangers job.
Additional Information
- Rangers’ Competition Progress: Rangers are currently 2nd in the Scottish Premiership and have reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
- Celtic’s Performance: Celtic won the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers on penalties.
Analysis
The SFA’s decision to axe Alan Muir as a VAR official is a significant move, and it remains to be seen how the SFA will address the issues surrounding refereeing in Scotland. The controversy surrounding Rangers and Celtic this season has raised questions about the consistency and accuracy of refereeing, and it is essential that the SFA takes steps to address these issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SFA’s decision to axe Alan Muir as a VAR official is a step in the right direction, and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes that it is a move that should be replicated in the Premier League. The controversy surrounding Rangers and Celtic this season has raised questions about the consistency and accuracy of refereeing in Scotland, and it is essential that the SFA takes steps to address these issues.
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