PGMOL has called on SFA to review VAR systems after Miovski and Raskin disallowed goals

Hugh Dallas Weighs In: Ex-Referee Offers expertise on Rangers’ Disallowed Goals Against Kilmarnock​ and called on SFA, Glasgow, Scotland

The controversial decisions to disallow two Rangers goals in yesterday’s Premiership clash against Kilmarnock have continued to dominate headlines, prompting former top-flight referee Hugh Dallas to offer his expert opinion. Speaking on [mention a hypothetical platform, e.g., ‘Sky Sports News’ or ‘a popular football podcast’], Dallas provided a nuanced breakdown of the incidents that denied Rangers potentially crucial goals.​

Rangers fans were left fuming after both Bojan Miovski and Nicolas Raskin saw efforts chalked off for offside during the tightly contested match, which ultimately finished in a draw, leaving many to wonder what might have been.​Regarding Bojan Miovski’s disallowed goal in the first half, Dallas acknowledged the razor-thin margins involved. “These are the toughest decisions for linesmen in real-time,” Dallas explained. “From the replays we’ve seen, particularly with the VAR lines drawn, Miovski appears to be marginally ahead of the last defender when the ball is played. It’s frustrating for attacking players and fans, but by the letter of the law, if the technology shows offside, it’s the correct call. It might be millimetres, but the rule is clear.”​

The second incident, involving Nicolas Raskin’s late effort, also drew significant discussion. “Raskin’s goal was also ruled out for offside, and again, VAR was central to the decision,” Dallas noted. “In this instance, it looked like a Rangers player in an offside position was deemed to be interfering with play or the goalkeeper’s line of sight, even if he didn’t touch the ball. The interpretation of ‘interfering’ can sometimes be contentious, but if the officials felt the offside player gained an advantage or impacted a defender’s ability to play the ball, then the decision, however unpopular, aligns with current guidelines.”​

Dallas, known for his calm demeanor and extensive experience on the pitch, emphasized the pressure on modern officials. “VAR has brought a level of scrutiny that we never had in my day. While it aims for accuracy, it also highlights just how fine the margins are in professional football,” he stated. “Ultimately, whether fans agree or not, the officials, supported by VAR, made the calls based on their interpretation of the rules and the visual evidence presented to them.”​

While the former referee’s comments may not entirely appease the frustrated Ibrox faithful, they provide a valuable insight into the complex decision-making process behind these high-stakes calls, reinforcing that even the smallest fraction can alter a game’s outcome.