VAR verdict prompts scrutiny

Rangers faced Dundee as a late penalty decision sparked questions about VAR intervention.

VAR verdict prompts scrutiny after Rangers penalty against Dundee

Rangers were reduced to 10 men when Nasser Djiga was sent off for a late foul on Fin Robertson. In stoppage time Djeidi Gassama went down in the box under pressure from Drey Wright, earning a penalty that James Tavernier converted to level the scores after Ryan Astley had put Dundee ahead from a 12 yard header. Cyriel Dessers saw a late goal ruled out by offside. Following the final whistle, a Sportscene panel argued that the referee should have checked the incident with a pitchside monitor, prompting fresh debate about VAR use and consistency.

This episode tests how referees and VAR are used in high pressure moments. A single late decision can tilt a game and shape a season’s mood. The public debate around the decision reflects ongoing questions about when VAR should intervene and how clearly the guidelines are understood by fans and players. The incident highlights the friction between protecting attacking play and preventing simulation, a balance that remains elusive.

Highlights

Officiating and VAR policy will stay under the microscope this season.