Ex-FIFA ref calls for VAR change as officials ‘guess’ over Rangers controversy v Aberdeen

Ex-FIFA ref calls for VAR change as officials ‘guess’ over Rangers controversy v Aberdeen

Rangers were yet again at the heart of VAR controversy in their 2-2 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday afternoon.

 

There were no arguments over Ross McCausland being sent off, as the Bears battled back from two goals down to rescue an unlikely point.

Ianis Hagi scored a wonderful curling effort with almost the last kick of the game, after Hamza Igamane had given the away side hope earlier in the second half.

 

Igamane had scored in the first half, too, but that was disallowed after the assistant and VAR adjudged the ball to have gone out of play through Findlay Curtis, with insufficient evidence to prove that.

Rangers not happy with VAR and Scottish FA

Keith Hackett has shared that the position of the assistant proves that he made a guess that the ball was fully out of play from the opposite side of the pitch.

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the ex-FIFA referee believes the authorities and VAR need to extend goal-line technology to prevent issues like this in the future.

 

“The person who makes the best judgement as to whether the whole of the ball is out of play is the assistant referee,” Hackett said.

“To make that accurate judgement, he is not looking over the flag straight down the goal line, he is, in fact, a good yard or more out of position.

 

“So, a goal is ruled out by a guess rather than factual evidence.

 

“Having worked with Hawkeye, I am aware of the distorted view that the referee from his position is open to, and the assistant just made a guess.

 

“I do not blame the officials, but the authorities need to extend the goal line technology from corner flag to corner flag to ensure that goals are not ruled out at the elite level by guessing the ball is out of play.”