Rangers manager Philippe Clement is fuming after his team’s controversial League Cup final defeat to Celtic. The match ended 3-3 after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout where Celtic emerged victorious. However, Clement believes a penalty was wrongly denied to Rangers early in the second half, a decision he feels significantly impacted the game’s outcome. The incident involved Liam Scales’ foul on Vaclav Cerny, resulting in a yellow card and a free-kick, but Clement argues it should have been a penalty. He highlighted the lack of VAR intervention as particularly frustrating, stating that he was inundated with messages from fans pointing out the apparent error. The missed penalty call has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike, becoming a trending topic on social media with many using hashtags such as #RangersFC, #CelticFC, #ScottishFootball, #VARcontroversy, and #LeagueCupFinal. Clement’s post-match comments emphasized his disappointment, not only with the refereeing decisions but also the lack of communication from VAR regarding the crucial penalty call. He stressed that this was a “game-deciding moment” and questioned the process that allowed such a critical error to go unaddressed. Despite the defeat, Clement praised his players’ performance, highlighting their bravery and resilience after a demanding European match against Tottenham Hotspur just two days prior. He acknowledged the high quality of the game, calling it a “great game for Scottish football”, but lamented that Rangers had to overcome additional obstacles due to the missed penalty opportunity. The defeat, which came after Rangers’ Ridvan Yilmaz missed his penalty in the shootout, was described by Clement as “cruel”. The controversial decision has ignited a fierce debate within the Scottish football community about the effectiveness of VAR and its implementation in such high-stakes matches. The question remains: was it a clear penalty decision missed by both the on-field referee and the VAR team? This incident further adds fuel to the ongoing discussion about the use of technology in officiating football matches, and its impact on the overall fairness and credibility of the game. The Rangers fans are demanding explanations regarding this controversy. Many are also calling for improved VAR protocols to ensure such a critical incident is not missed in future matches. This debate isn’t just confined to Scotland; it’s a topic of conversation for football fans worldwide, highlighting the widespread concerns about VAR’s effectiveness and the need for greater consistency in its application. The impact of this penalty call will undoubtedly be debated for weeks to come, adding another chapter to the already intense rivalry between Rangers and Celtic.
VAR Controversy: Rangers Manager Furious Over Missed Penalty in League Cup Final Defeat to Celtic
