Blundering VAR duo Alan Muir and Frank O’Connor have been axed following their Premier Sports Cup final cock-up.
The pair have been panned for failing to spot a potential penalty for Rangers in their penalty shoot-out defeat to Celtic during extra time. On-field referee John Beaton awarded a free-kick for a foul by Liam Scales on Vaclav Cerny but TV replays showed the offence took place on the line and a spot kick should have been awarded.
However, neither Muir or his assistant at Clydesdale House referred Beaton to the monitor for a closer look and that has led to SFA refs chief Willie Collum wielding the axe.
The pair haven’t been assigned any Scottish Premiership fixtures this weekend while the rest of the Hampden team of officials ARE all in action. Beaton is in charge of Hearts vs St Johnstone while assistant David McGeachie is VAR assistant for Aberdeen vs Hibs and fellow assistant Jonathan Bell is running the line for the Friday night fixture when Motherwell host Kilmarnock.
Muir was slammed by Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin for failing to recommend an on-field review for a high challenge on Vicko Sevelj by Danny Armstrong during their 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock earlier this month.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement was fuming with the failure of VAR to get involved on Sunday.
The Belgian said after the game: “Of course, he (the referee) cannot see that moment. But he didn’t get the communication from the VAR to come to watch the screen, which for me is a really weird situation.”
New Ibrox chief executive Patrick Stewart, on his first day in the job at the Light Blues, demanded answers over the failure to avoid a spot kick. Record Sport understands he has spoken with the SFA and Collum is expected to offer an explanation later this week on the VAR Review show on the SFA’s YouTube channel.
SFA chiefs Ian Maxwell and Mike Mulraney are also set to be grilled on the incident when they speak to the media on Wednesday to help launch a new SFA initiative.