Kenny Miller hits Rangers VAR boiling point on air as John Souttar handball sees conspiracy solution torpedoed
The perplexed former Ibrox star became enraged when the Ibrox centre-back was fined against Benfica.
Fuming Kenny Miller has reacted to the decision to give a penalty against Rangers during their Europa League match against Benfica.
He believes the John Souttar handball incident should quell speculation about bringing in foreign match officials to operate VAR in the Scottish Premiership. Benfica were controversially allowed to tie the game at 1-1 with an Angel Di Maria penalty after the Rangers defender was found to have touched the ball in the box following a VAR review.
During the fight, the centre-back headed the ball down from a corner, but it came into contact with his hand while eliminating the danger. According to UEFA rules, if the player knocked the ball onto his own arm, the handball should not be punished; nonetheless, referee Tobias Stieler was called to the pitchside monitor to evaluate the event and awarded the penalty kick.
Speaking on the Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, perplexed Miller stated, “I was watching this last night, and because of the laws and the rules, I am thinking there is no way that penalty can be given.” Host Gordon Duncan referenced a similar event on the last 16 fixture card, saying, “Look at the West Ham one in the same competition…”.
Miller became even angrier, saying, “Oh, don’t. It was fantastic. If Soucek hits it, he will receive a stonewall penalty. If the defender is hit, it is obvious that it is not a penalty under the law, but this is exactly what happened to John Souttar.
“This is why I don’t understand it. You may argue that things alter slightly in European competitions, but the rules remain the same. If you head it, kick it, or whatever it is.
“If it deflects off one body part and onto your arm, you will not receive a penalty. The referees know the rules better than anyone else. He went to the screen, saw exactly what had transpired, and issued the penalty. I can’t wrap my brain around it.
“We’re hearing that we need to get foreign officials up (to the Premiership), which is even worse for me. That is explicitly stated in the rules.
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