Will Rangers and the rest of the SPFL demand punishment after Brendan Rodgers referee rant?
Rangers and the rest of the SPFL will be watching on after Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers took aim at the referees following defeat to Hearts.
The Parkhead side missed their chance to recover top spot in the Scottish Premiership by succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against the Jambos at Tynecastle.
This came after Rangers had been beaten 2-1 by Motherwell at Ibrox the day before, providing Celtic a perfect opportunity to grab the Scottish Premiership title momentum.
But when his side were trounced, Brendan Rodgers might be facing an SFA citation and Rangers surely won’t be the only ones watching on.
Brendan Rodgers left furious with referees
Speaking after the defeat to Hearts, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers took aim at the refereeing and specifically VAR operator John Beaton.
The Celtic boss – who saw his side granted an extremely cheap penalty in the opening moments which they went on to miss – was angry at two critical decisions in the encounter.
Namely, Korean winger Yang was sent packing for a high boot in the first half after a VAR review whilst Hearts were awarded a penalty for a dubious Tomoki Iwata handball.
Appearing to turn the spotlight onto John Beaton at full-time – the referee subject to recurring pro-Rangers conspiracy theories from Celtic fans – do the statements fall into citation territory?
”I never like to comment on officials,” stated Rodgers. “But that cost us today, the officiating on-field, John Beaton being in VAR, that was really, really poor.
“That there is absolutely shocking decision-making and I feel really, really disappointed.
“You will probably have to ask John Beaton in VAR what he’s seeing, because if he’s seeing that dangerous play and he’s seeing the handball he’s probably seeing something different to everyone else. Unless you’re connected with Hearts of course. I just think they’re witnessing a different game.”
Speaking in a press conference after the game, Rodgers added: “My feeling is that the game was decided by the officials. On the field and outside of the field.
“There is no change and I also think as well that VAR is not the problem here. That’s clear. It’s competency. And I think the first one is a perfect illustration of the game being refereed off of the pitch.
“I think when I see that level of incompetence it’s the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game.”
Celtic manager breaches SFA rules following Hearts loss.
Over the years, various Scottish Premiership managers have been suspended for statements made criticizing referees in the aftermath of matches.
The SFA rules have been meant to shield referees from personal attacks from managers and one wonders if the professional members’ body will defend their whistler John Beaton.
Rule 72 – which Rodgers is clearly in breach of by simply using the phrase “incompetence” – states:
“No recognised football body, club, official, Team Official or other member of Team Staff, player or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA, shall in an interview, a ‘blog’ on the internet, on a social networking or micro-blogging site, or in any other manner calculated or likely to lead to publicity (i) criticise the Decision(s) and/or performance(s) of any or all match official(s) in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official; or (ii) make remarks about such match official(s) which impinge on his character.”
Scotland manager Steve Clarke was issued a two match ban for comments made regarding Steven McLean in 2019, whilst Craig Levein was given a one match ban for stating his side were “playing against 12 men” v Rangers in the same season.
Former Falkirk manager Craig Houston is another example, having been handed a ban for comments he made after a defeat at Ibrox in 2015.
We’ve got to say, whether you think the rulings were right or wrong, the concept that both the calls are blatantly incorrect and not, at the absolute best, up for debate is ludicrous.
Yang’s boot was unnecessarily high and Brendan Rodgers had no issue with St Mirren’s Toyosi Olusanya being sent off by the officials in similar circumstances against Celtic only two months ago.
n more example of the rules being enforced safely and fairly, only last season was Killie striker Kyle Vassell sent off for a high boot following a VAR review in a match v Hibs.
The Parkhead manager can also complain the contentious hand ball penalty call, because Iwata’s hand is outside the silhouette and it modifies the direction of the ball in the box.
To argue that Celtic have somehow been defrauded here is desperate nonsense.
How the scenario works out will be of great interest to Rangers and the rest of the clubs in the SPFL.
Surely no-one is above the law in Scottish football and if the Celtic manager gets off with these statements then it further shows why half the Premiership has called into question a recent “independent review” into the health of the game’s governance.
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