Rangers and Aberdeen semi tie suffers technology meltdown as VAR fails at crucial point of contest
RANGERS’ Viaplay Cup semi-final tie with Aberdeen was marred by a technological meltdown – with no VAR available at a crucial point in the contest.
Referee Nick Walsh lost communication with his SFA colleagues manning the video system from their Clydesdale House studio across Glasgow.
And that meant no VAR for the first 10 minutes of extra-time – with Walsh going back and forward to the Hampden tunnel area to try to see what the problem is.
The whistler eventually accepted that he would have to do without outside help, letting players from Rangers and Aberdeen know that there would be no VAR in operation for the foreseeable future.
And the system appeared to be still down when Kemar Roofe put the Ibrox side 2-1 ahead.
Thankfully there appeared to be nothing contentious about the goal as the striker turned in Scott Wright’s cross.
Commentating on the game for Viaplay, former Motherwell skipper Stephen Craigan revealed that it had always been the plan for games to continue the old-fashioned way should VAR ever go down in this manner.
And commentator Rory Hamilton couldn’t resist a cheeky reply, saying: “Just think of some of the conspiracy theories that could be brought up here.”
It wasn’t long, though, until communication was restored, with the Hampden announcer letting the supporters know that VAR was back in action.
A spokesperson for the SPFL said: “The Scottish FA have confirmed to us that a technical issue with the VAR station at Clydesdale House resulted in a five-minute period where VAR was not in operation at Hampden Park.
“The issue was resolved by moving to the back-up station and VAR was operational immediately thereafter.”
The video replay system HAD been working when Aberdeen lost their captain Anthony Stewart to a straight red card late in the 90 minutes.
The defender wiped out Rangers striker Fashion Sakala with a wild challenge and Walsh quickly produced the red card.
Alan Muir, the VAR official, had a look and agreed with the ref – leaving Dons with 10 men for the entirety of extra-time.
Scottish football has endured plenty of VAR controversy in recent days.
St Mirren couldn’t believe they didn’t get a late penalty on Friday night when the ball struck the arm of Hearts defender Kye Rowles.
And Killie were similarly flabbergasted that they didn’t get a spot kick late in their semi-final defeat to Celtic when Giorgos Giakoumakis bundled Joe Wright to the ground shortly before the Greek got his team’s decisive second goal.
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