🚨 Collum to Offer Multiple Apologies After Old Firm VAR Carnage 🚨
Willie Collum, the Scottish FA’s Head of Refereeing, is reportedly preparing to issue multiple apologies following a series of highly controversial decisions during the recent Celtic vs Rangers Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. The dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory for Celtic was overshadowed by flashpoints that have ignited a furious debate over the standard and consistency of officiating in Scottish football.
The Trusty Red Card Row
The primary focus of the controversy is the decision to only issue a yellow card to Celtic defender Auston Trusty for a first-half challenge on Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland. Trusty’s boot made contact with Butland’s head as the keeper dived to collect the ball. Despite the severity of the contact, the on-field referee, Nick Walsh, showed only a caution, and the VAR team, led by Matthew MacDermid, chose not to recommend an on-field review (OFR).
Rangers officials, still reeling from the defeat, wasted no time in contacting the SFA demanding an explanation for what they view as a clear case for a straight red card and a fundamental failure of the VAR system. Club sources indicate their dissatisfaction with the initial explanation, arguing the decision was inconsistent with previous rulings and put player safety at risk.
Inconsistency and VAR’s Silence
The call is being contrasted with an earlier decision in the match where Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard was sent off following a VAR review for a high tackle on Celtic’s Anthony Ralston. While Aasgaard’s dismissal for serious foul play was widely accepted, the subsequent leniency shown to Trusty has drawn ire from the Rangers camp and led to wider accusations of a lack of uniformity in the application of the Laws of the Game.
Collum, who addresses contentious calls on the SFA’s “VAR Review Show,” is now under immense pressure to publicly address the Old Firm controversy. It is understood that any forthcoming apologies are likely to centre on the non-intervention of VAR in the Butland incident, suggesting a system failure rather than solely blaming the on-field referee.
Fan Groups Demand Real Change
The debacle has prompted a scathing response from the Rangers Fan Advisory Board (FAB), who have gone beyond calling for simple apologies. In a strong statement, the FAB asserted that the “time for apologies has long since come and gone,” citing a history of “perplexing, head-scratching decisions” in Old Firm fixtures since VAR’s introduction.
They are now demanding an independent review into the standard of officiating across the Scottish game, arguing that Collum’s role as Head of Refereeing has failed to deliver meaningful progress. The FAB’s statement challenges Collum to support such a review, indicating that without fundamental change, apologies will remain hollow gestures in the face of persistent officiating errors that continue to affect the outcome of crucial matches.
As the fallout continues, all eyes will be on Willie Collum’s next public statement, where the promised apologies will be scrutinised not for contrition, but for what tangible steps the SFA will take to restore confidence in the officiating process .
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