Rangers have expressed their displeasure after meeting with the SFA for failing to address concerns over Auston Trusty not being sent off in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final. Gers asked the board for an explanation as to why the trustee remained on the pitch.
Ibrox bosses met Willie Collum, the head of refereeing, on Monday night but were unimpressed by the former referee’s comments. Rangers’ management does not accept his justification for why on-field referee Nick Walsh only gave Trusty a yellow card for kicking Jack Butland in the head. They also believe the VAR review of the incident was not comprehensive enough, calling into question the application of match law.
“The handling of a significant incident in Sunday’s semi-final has once again raised legitimate concerns about the consistency of refereeing in Scottish football,” the club said in a statement.
“Representatives of the club met with the Scottish Football Association tonight to seek clarification on key decisions in the match, including the incidents of Jack Butland and Auston Trusty.
“Following that meeting, we remain dissatisfied with the explanation of the referee’s decision in that incident, the application of the Laws of the Game and the VAR review itself, and do not believe that the VAR review itself was sufficiently robust and thorough.
“While we recognize that refereeing decisions can affect both sides of a match, too many important matches continue to be affected by inconsistent and hard-to-justify decisions. These decisions have real consequences, influence outcomes, impact fans and impact the lives of players, coaches and staff whose work is judged by the results on the pitch.”
“While the club has consistently raised the issues that have arisen with the Scottish Football Association, we do not feel there has been sufficient change in the development of refereeing at the highest level.
“We understand and share the anger of our supporters, who are increasingly frustrated by the repeated inconsistencies in the decision-making of key fixtures that continue to affect the club.
“In the interest of our supporters and the wider game at home, we will continue to hold the Scottish Football Association to account and look to them to lead meaningful progress that will deliver lasting improvements.”
