Rangers vs Kilmarnock VAR Incident Criticized as 'Shambolic'

One of the VAR decisions for handball during Rangers’ win over Kilmarnock yesterday has been branded a ‘shambles’.

Michael Stewart couldn’t believe that VAR advised on-field referee David Dickinson to check the incident involving Corrie Ndaba at the pitchside monitor at Ibrox.

With the game just two minutes old, the Killie defender challenged Dujon Sterling inside the box.

From about a yard away, the ball spun into the air and brushed his arm.

The packed-out home crowd and Rangers players claimed for a penalty, but Dickinson didn’t seem too interested in the appeals.

He halted the game a short time after as he waited on the response from VAR, who immediately reviewed the situation. They told him to check it back himself at the monitor.

To his credit, he stuck with his original decision and the game continued with no spot kick for Rangers.

And Stewart believes it highlighted everything that’s wrong with VAR that it even got to that stage.

He said on Sportscene: “I’ve got to say that great credit needs to be given to David Dickinson the referee. It’s shambolic from the VAR officials to slow the game down as much as they did.

“Everyone that’s involved in football could see within seconds it’s not a penalty kick. Yes, there is almost a feeling that when the referee goes over it’s going to be given.

“But I find Philippe Clement’s comments a little bit strange. That’s not a penalty kick and I think everyone that’s associated with football would feel the same. If that’s given against you, you would be tearing your hair out.”

Cammy Bell added: “Correct call, yeah. I agree with Mikey, he shouldn’t have been called over. I think VAR should be looking at that once and it’s not a penalty. If you know anything about football that shouldn’t be discussed as a penalty.

“It’s two players coming together. Yes the ball brushes his arm but there is no intent at all, it doesn’t change anything in the action of the play.

“I was amazed when he was sent over. And as Mikey says, you’ve got to credit the referee for sticking by his decision.”