Brendan Rodgers’ emotional outburst following Celtic’s controversial defeat has reignited fierce debate over VAR and alleged bias in Scottish football. After a series of contentious decisions went against his side, Rodgers didn’t hold back, accusing the system — and those behind it — of robbing Celtic of a deserved victory. His claim that “they’re all Rangers fans” struck a nerve, suggesting that favoritism and entrenched allegiances may be influencing the integrity of the game. While such statements are bound to provoke backlash, they also echo sentiments shared by many Celtic supporters who feel the club has repeatedly been on the wrong end of key decisions.
Rodgers’ comments go beyond frustration with a single match. They reflect growing disillusionment with the implementation of VAR in Scotland and raise questions about transparency, consistency, and accountability within the officiating system. In a sport that thrives on fairness and passion, perception of bias — whether real or imagined — can do lasting damage to trust in the league. Rodgers’ fiery response may have fanned the flames, but it also forces the football authorities to take a closer look at how VAR is applied and whether enough is being done to ensure true neutrality in Scottish football.
