Rangers Fans were outraged after a controversial VAR penalty went against them following their 2-0 humiliating defeat at San Gillis.
The Belgian club will travel to Glasgow next week with a two-goal advantage as they look to clinch the Champions League after a thumping home victory on Tuesday.
Full-time: Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Rangers
Not our night in Belgium. Return to Ibrox next Tuesday for the second leg. pic.twitter.com/VHXysyMk9h
– Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 2, 2022
But when match referees decided to point the sport after a VAR review, they got a little help from some questionable referees.
A USG player hit the ball to Ben Davies, who bounced off Connor Goldson’s hand at close range.
However, Goldson was adjudged to be in possession and the referee awarded a penalty – a successful conversion.
Huge blow to the homeless! 😬
After a VAR review, Connor Goldson awarded a penalty for handball, Union doubled their lead 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/2uNWAHNOjI
– Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) August 2, 2022
The decision to award the penalty angered Rangers fans on social media.
One tweet said: “Ref wants to make a name for herself. How can anyone who has watched 2 minutes of football think that’s a pen.”
A second wrote: “I have never seen a worse decision in my life.”
A third added: “This is a shocking decision.”
Another commented: “How in the world can there be a penalty.”
If you’re wondering why Rangers shouldn’t be penalized, the Handball Law Guide states, I quote:
“Exceptions are, for example, when the ball is not expected to pass from a teammate to or approach the player and the player’s arm has been extended.”
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) August 2, 2022
It was a terrible decision for Conor Goldson, who in this world has never had a penalty against Royal League St Giles. Rangers trailed 2-0 and struggled with no ifs or buts. This is unacceptable to the Rangers. Sad results and performance.
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) August 2, 2022
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side will face a tough challenge if they want a place in the Champions League.
After the game, he revealed that he was “disappointed” with the team’s performance.
“I’m very, very disappointed, especially that we didn’t perform at the usual level,” the Dutchman said.
“We need to change it in the big time. You try to change the people to change the game, but in general we have so many below-normal performances that it makes it really difficult to play as a group.
“That’s our biggest problem. If we’re going to go through next week, that’s the thing that needs to change the most.”
The Rangers host USG at Ibrox next Tuesday as they look to reverse a first-leg deficit.
