Rangers Push for VAR Upgrades with World Cup Funds Amid Officiating Controversies
Rangers aim to leverage profits from Scotland's World Cup participation to enhance video assistant referees (VAR) and overall officiating standards in the Scottish Premiership. Recent controversies have reignited discussions on officiating, particularly following Hearts' frustration over a denied penalty against Motherwell, contrasted by a late penalty awarded to Celtic, who ultimately claimed the title against the same opponents. Jim Gillespie, Rangers' chief executive, expressed the club's commitment to improving Scottish football during an upcoming meeting with the Scottish FA. He emphasized that Rangers, with their historical significance in the league, will contribute their fair share to any increased VAR expenditures: Rangers previously met with the SPFL and SFA to discuss alignment on strategies. Gillespie raised questions about the effectiveness of current decision-making processes and the need for changes in officiating, including the potential for full-time referees and enhanced digital performance. Highlighting the importance of improving resources, he stated, "How do we get some of that [World Cup revenue] to get things improved?" He pointed to the need for better camera setups in stadiums as part of the solution. Gillespie asserted the necessity of improvements for the sake of Scottish football's reputation, while also recognizing VAR's potential benefits seen in other leagues. He called for unity among clubs and governing bodies to elevate officiating standards, insisting that Rangers has a responsibility to lead these efforts. "We want Scottish football to be the best it can be," he concluded, urging for collaborative leadership in addressing current concerns.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-19