MX23RW : Friday, February 22 14:51:50

Rangers urge SFA to stop 're-refereeing games'

Rangers urge SFA to stop 're-refereeing games'
© Reuters
Ibrox managing director Stewart Robertson has called for clubs to seek change from the Scottish Football Association.

Rangers claim the "re-refereeing of games" is putting unfair pressure on match officials.

Ibrox managing director Stewart Robertson has called for clubs to seek change from the Scottish Football Association after criticising the approach of compliance officer Clare Whyte, who replaced Tony McGlennan in late August last year.

The complaint comes after Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor received a retrospective two-match ban for a studs-up challenge on Aberdeen's Lewis Ferguson.

Robertson told his club's official website: "If you go back to last season and previous seasons, it was only incidents of violent conduct or off-the-ball incidents the referees didn't see that would be reconsidered.

"What we are now getting ourselves into is a situation where many more incidents are being looked at and we are effectively re-refereeing the games.

"That is placing intolerable pressures on the referees, which is then placing pressures on the compliance system and the disciplinary system.

"We feel we should now be looking to go back to what the system was previously where it was violent conduct and off-the-ball incidents that should be reviewed only."

Nine top-flight players have received notices of complaint from the SFA so far this season. Five of the suspensions have been accepted by the clubs involved and the other four were upheld by an independent judicial panel.

Whyte must first receive unanimous approval from three former match officials before issuing a notice of complaint.

The SFA's online disciplinary updates only go back to December 2017 but there were only three notices of complaints issued to Premiership players – all accepted – during the final six months of last season.

Robertson said: "Clare came in at the start of this season and there is no doubt things have been dealt with differently this year.

"Some of the incidents which have been reviewed this year wouldn't have been reviewed last year. That is leading to the confusion – there is much more inconsistency and it definitely feels as if we are re-refereeing games.

"It also feels as though the incidents, which are being highlighted on the television at the weekend, are the incidents which are being picked up by the compliance officer on a Monday."

McGregor is the only Light Blues player to receive a retrospective ban this season, which came following a failed appeal from his club.

Rangers have twice appealed against red cards handed to Alfredo Morelos – once successfully – and failed to overturn a controversial second yellow card for Daniel Candeias on the grounds of mistaken identity.

Robertson called for clubs to "speak with one voice and at least get around the table and debate what should change".

"We have had informal contact from the SFA and we wrote to them last week requesting we have a detailed review of the disciplinary system," he added.

"I am sure they will be in touch informally with us but from the discussions we have had informally, I know there are a lot of other clubs who have similar views on how the system is working at the moment and the inconsistencies which are being created by the way in which the system is being interpreted."

The SFA declined to comment.


Click here for more stories about Stewart Robertson

Click here for more stories about Rangers

Share this article now:
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard pictured on November 29, 2018
Read Next:
Forget title, says Gerrard as Rangers held by St Johnstone
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account