Ibrox manager hits out at UEFA over lack of VAR
STEVEN GERRARD last night took Uefa to task for failing to introduce VAR in the Europa League group stages, saying it proves Europe’s governing body aren’t serious about treating it as an equal to the Champions League.
Rangers could have done with video assistant referee technology during Thursday night’s visit to take on Young Boys in Bern when the referee failed to pick up a clear penalty for a challenge by Frederik Sorensen on Alfredo Morelos. It was a mistake which proved costly when Christian Fassnacht popped up with the last-gasp winner which left Rangers empty-handed at the Stade de Suisse.
Uefa have decided to implement VAR technology from the knockout stages onwards of their secondary club competition, but unlike the Champions League, decided against making use of it in the group stages.
“You speak to Uefa and they make out that this competition is as important as the Champions League but it can’t be if there is no VAR,” said Gerrard. “The frustrating thing is that VAR comes into this tournament in the next round. If VAR was there last night we would be sitting here talking about a really positive point and being top of the group and that’s the difference. When the referee sees it again he’ll be disappointed.”
The injustice over Thursday night’s result was still burning away yesterday.
“It is still not sitting well,” said Gerrard. “If you are outplayed or second best I am usually honest to say we didn’t deserve anything but I thought we deserved to take something.
“The referee has missed a clear penalty for us and the timing of the second goal was tough to take. But we have to move on.”