Paying the penalty in Europe, marvel at the VAR transparency in Ligue 1
Something very strange happened last night, a spot kick was awarded for the visiting side at Ibrox! Yes a penalty was awarded against the Summer Sensations in their Champions League qualifier against Swiss side Servette, something completely alien to theRangers supporters and players who haven’t witnessed a spot kick against their side in league football for nigh on 18 months!
Yes 18 months of league football without conceding a spot kick, even with the introduction of VAR. They were in fact the only side in Britain to go through the entire league season without conceding a penalty last season, a remarkable achievement and surely another one of those World Records that they used to go on about in their infancy as a football club.
Yet in those last 18 months there have been SIX penalties been awarded against them in European football. Strange that eh? It’s as if European officials seem to know the rules or something. Like the fact you aren’t allowed to use your hand to control the ball in your own penalty area.
The incident that led to last night’s spot kick for the Swiss side was identical to similar ones that have been frequently waved away by Scottish officials in the favour of the Ibrox club so many times over this past year or so even with the support of VAR.
This just shows the bias of the Scottish officials. This stat shows that they are clearly favouring the Ibrox side, no doubt about it.
Now have a look at this video below, where a penalty is given, before the referee reviews the VAR footage and acts accordingly. There can be no complaints from anyone if this is how refereeing with the assistance of VAR worked in Scottish football.
The transparency is brilliant, the referee has no ego and has nothing to hide. With the help of VAR he arrived at the correct decision and everyone – the players and the supporters – were all given an explanation for the initial decision and then the over-rule. But will we ever get there? It’s hard to imagine that happening.
Wonder what the odds are on Livingston getting a penalty at Ibrox on Saturday?
