Ibrox chief calls for disciplinary change

Rangers claim the “re-refereeing of games” is putting unfair pressure on match officials.

Ibrox managing director Stewart Robertson has called for clubs to seek change from the Scottish Football Association after criticising the approach of compliance officer Clare Whyte, who replaced Tony McGlennan in August last year.

The complaint comes after Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor received a retrospective two-match ban for a studs-up challenge on Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson.

Robertson told his club’s official website: “If you go back to last season and previous seasons, it was only incidents of violent conduct or off-the-ball incidents the referees didn’t see that would be reconsidered.

“What we are now getting ourselves into is a situation where many more incidents are being looked at and we are effectively re-refereeing the games.

“That is placing intolerable pressures on the referees, which is then placing pressures on the compliance system and the disciplinary system.

“We feel we should now be looking to go back to what the system was previously where it was violent conduct and off-the-ball incidents that should be reviewed only.”

Nine top-flight players have received notices of complaint from the SFA so far this season. Five of the suspensions have been accepted by the clubs involved and the other four were upheld by an independent judicial panel.

Whyte must first receive unanimous approval from three former match officials before issuing a notice of complaint.

McGregor is the only Light Blues player to receive a retrospective ban this season, which came following a failed appeal from his club. Rangers have twice appealed against red cards handed to Alfredo Morelos – once successfully.

The SFA declined to comment.