STILL SEEING RED
Rangers lodge formal complaint to SFA over Collum
RANGERS have formally complained to the SFA about the performance of referee Willie Collum in their recent 2-0 win at St Mirren.
The match official came under fire for issuing a controversial second yellow card to Ibrox winger Daniel Candeias after Alfredo Morelos had completed the scoring in Paisley.
Breaking with convention, the SFA released a statement this week to explain the official’s decision. It said Candeias was given a second caution for making gestures — thought to be blowing kisses — at Buddies defender Anton Ferdinand.
However, that has failed to appease Rangers. In a statement made last Thursday, the Ibrox club said they would be contacting the governing body over the issue and, last night, a club spokesman said: ‘I can confirm that Rangers have written to formally complain about the referee’s performance. For the time being, we will say nothing more.’
Sportsmail understands that Rangers believe video evidence shows Collum (right) was following Morelos after the goal — and could not have seen any gestures by Candeias.
Insisting that none of the other match officials had told the referee about any gestures, an Ibrox source described the second booking as ‘remaining inexplicable’. After Rangers
failed to get the yellow card overturned on the grounds of mistaken identity, the club insisted there was an ‘underlying issue’ with Collum. The statement added: ‘Furthermore, it is understood that a number of people within the Scottish FA are in no doubt Mr Collum’s judgment was flawed and Rangers shall also now be submitting a formal complaint about the performance of this referee.’ Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard subsequently distanced himself from the club’s statement but he described the second yellow card issued as ‘embarrassing’. After failing to have the booking rescinded, Rangers also called for a rule change in the area where an erroneous yellow card cannot be contested on grounds other than mistaken identity. Conversely, it’s also understood that the SFA have now written to Rangers asking for them to explain their comments about the referee.