'It would've been Crazy' - Ex-FIFA official baffled after Rangers' Connor Barron controversy

Noel Egan doesn’t believe Hearts should have been awarded a penalty during their 0-0 draw with Rangers on Saturday 3 August.

The ex-FIFA official has blasted the handball rule for becoming too confusing.

It comes after Hearts supporters called for a penalty after a Yan Dhanda cross struck the arm of Rangers’ Connor Barron.

However, a penalty was not awarded on-field, with VAR choosing not to intervene.

And although Egan – speaking exclusively to Ibrox News – believes the correct call was made, the former referee has insisted he is not a fan of VAR.

“The handball rule is continuing to change so much, it is leading to too much confusion,” Egan said.

“It needs to be clear-cut, it needs to be about intent. Referees make mistakes, as do players and the biggest problem with VAR is that we’re not allowing the referees to make those mistakes.

“It seems as though the human element of the game has been taken out of it. A referee will know most of the team if a player has handled the ball internationally, let them referee the game.

“However, in my opinion, that was never a penalty, it would’ve been crazy if it was given.”

Hearts wrong to be denied a penalty against Rangers?

After just one day of the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season referring decisions are already dominating the headlines.

Egan is not alone in his criticism, with former referee Bobby Madden also ripping into the handball rule (via The Scottish Sun, 5 August).

The biggest problem is the lack of clarity around the rule. Supporters can debate all night long whether Hearts should have been awarded a penalty.

However, the biggest problem is that it appears as though the referees and VAR alike aren’t even sure what the correct decisions are anymore.

Clarity therefore needs to be brought back into the game so that supporters can focus on the football, rather than the decisions of the referees.

In other Rangers news, one player is close to leaving Ibrox as a Euro club chief flies into Glasgow.

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The post 'It would've been Crazy' - Ex-FIFA official baffled after Rangers' Connor Barron controversy appeared first on Ibrox News.