Rangers’ relationship with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has been strained in recent years.
From the financial collapse at Ibrox in 2012 to recent controversies surrounding officiating in Rangers matches, the SFA has consistently come under scrutiny from the Govan club and its supporters.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Alan Muir had been removed from his VAR duties following a string of high-profile mistakes — most notably, his failure to award Rangers a penalty during their Premier Sports Cup loss to Celtic in December.
Now, fresh developments have emerged from Hampden Park concerning the Light Blues.
SFA rules on Vaclav Cerny after Old Firm clash incident
Vaclav Cerny became the subject of a police investigation last month after spraying water at Celtic fans during Rangers’ 3-0 Scottish Premiership win at Celtic Park on 16 March.
Police Scotland later determined that no criminal offence had taken place, but it remained unclear how the SFA would respond to the Czech international’s behaviour.
On 9 April, it was confirmed that the SFA’s compliance officer Martin Black had concluded the investigation and opted not to issue a suspension. Instead, Cerny received a formal warning regarding his future conduct.
Former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett expressed concern over the decision, suggesting it sends the wrong signal.
“Cerny is frankly very lucky to avoid a ban and has got off lightly,” Hackett told Ibrox News.
“This behaviour is unacceptable, and I don’t think the Scottish FA are setting the right example here. In my view, they’ve set the bar too low.”
Will Rangers be able to sign Cerny permanently?
Cerny has impressed since joining Rangers on loan from Wolfsburg during the summer, but his long-term future in Glasgow remains uncertain as no purchase option was included in the original deal.
Barry Ferguson has voiced his desire to see the former Ajax man remain at Ibrox beyond the current season. However, the key question will be whether Rangers can afford him.
Previous reports suggest a permanent move could cost around £7 million — a significant investment that would rank among the club’s most expensive signings ever.
