Ibrox officials have branded the possibility of disciplinary action after John Brown‘s “corrupt” outburst on Rangers TV as “excessive, surprising and inconsistent”.
It was revealed on Monday that the Scottish FA Compliance Officer is set to review comments made by the former defender during the 2-2 draw with Hibernian.
Brown was furious over the failure to award Rangers a second goal after Nico Raskin appeared to have forced the ball over the line. Rocky Bushiri hooked the ball away before Hibs equalised but replays appeared to show the ball was over the goal line.
It’s thought the goal was not awarded as VAR saw “no conclusive evidence/angle to say the ball had fully crossed the line to award Rangers a second goal”.
Angered by the decision, Brown said: “I would say it is corrupt.
Commentator Tom Miller cautioned: “Well, I’m not sure we can actually say that”, before Brown continued: “Well, I am saying it.”
It’s understood the SFA will consider action over the remarks under article 29.2 of the rules. The relevant rule reads: “A club or recognised football body which publishes, distributes, issues, sells or authorises a third party to publish, distribute, issue or sell a match programme or any other publication or audio/visual material of any description in any media now existing or hereinafter invented, including but not limited to the Internet, social networking or micro-blogging sites, shall ensure that any such publications or audio/visual material does not contain any criticism of any match official calculated to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official or to impinge upon his character.”
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Responding to the possibility of disciplinary action, Rangers vowed to defend themselves against any charge over “spontaneous remarks”.
A club statement cited “several major officiating errors” against Rangers throughout the season, suggesting frustration was inevitable and demanded the decision in the match should not be overshadowed by the Scottish FA review.
A Rangers spokesperson said: “In a season where Rangers have been on the receiving end of several major officiating errors, frustration is entirely understandable. The idea that spontaneous remarks could warrant disciplinary action is excessive, surprising and inconsistent.
“This development should not overshadow what was a clear mistake, evident to anyone who has seen the footage of the game. The focus should be on raising refereeing standards for the good of Scottish football.
“Should a charge follow, we will defend it, and question whether club channels across the league are being monitored and policed equally.”
