REASON WHY GOAL WASN’T AWARDED DESPITE IT’S NOT OFFSIDE HAS LEFT EVERYONE FURIOUS —SPFL RELEASES SHOCKING STATEMENT

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Rangers’ goalless draw against Hibernian should have been remembered as a frustrating afternoon where chances were missed and tempers flared. Instead, it has gone down as one of the most controversial SPFL moments of the season, after Mikey Moore’s perfectly-timed finish was inexplicably ruled out for offside — a decision that has since ignited fury across Scottish football.

What made the incident even more explosive was the fact that replays appeared to clearly show Moore was onside, sparking outrage among Rangers players, fans, pundits, and even neutral observers. Social media erupted within seconds, Ibrox was left seething, and the match officials found themselves under intense scrutiny.

Then came the moment that poured petrol on the fire.

Hours after the final whistle, the SPFL released a statement attempting to explain why the goal was not awarded — and rather than calming the storm, it left everyone even angrier.

The Incident That Changed the Game

The controversy unfolded midway through the second half with Rangers pushing hard to break the deadlock. A sharp attacking move sliced through the Hibernian defence, the ball was slipped into space, and Mikey Moore reacted instantly, finishing clinically past the goalkeeper.

For a split second, Ibrox erupted.

Then came the dreaded flag.

The assistant referee raised it for offside, immediately silencing the celebrations. Confusion spread through the stadium as Rangers players surrounded the official, gesturing furiously and pointing towards the defensive line. Moore himself looked stunned, clearly convinced he had timed his run to perfection.

Replays shown on the big screens — and later broadcast on television — appeared to show Moore clearly level, if not marginally behind the last defender.

Yet the decision stood.

No goal. No explanation. No review that made sense to those watching.

Why This Decision Felt Different

Offside calls are part of football. Marginal decisions happen every week. But this one felt different — and not just to Rangers supporters.

The anger stemmed from three key factors:

1. The visual evidence
   Slow-motion replays suggested Moore was onside. Even freeze-frame images circulating online showed daylight between him and the last defender.
2. The lack of clarity
   There was no immediate, clear explanation given during the match. Fans were left guessing whether the call was based on a different phase of play or a subjective interpretation.
3. The stakes
   Rangers were chasing a crucial win in a tight title race. Dropping points at this stage of the season could have massive consequences.

Within minutes, social media was flooded with screenshots, lines drawn across paused frames, and furious reactions accusing the officials of incompetence.

Ibrox Erupts as Rangers Players React

Rangers’ reaction on the pitch told its own story.

Senior players were visibly incensed, surrounding the referee and assistant referee, demanding answers. The bench erupted, with coaching staff gesturing angrily towards the fourth official. The crowd responded in kind, raining boos down every time the officials made a decision for the remainder of the match.

The sense of injustice lingered. Rangers continued to push, but the rhythm was gone. The moment had passed.

When the final whistle blew at 0–0, the feeling around the stadium was clear: Rangers had been robbed.

Fans Demand Answers — And Accountability

The backlash after the match was immediate and intense.

Supporters flooded social media with furious messages, many claiming the decision was “one of the worst of the season.” Others questioned how such an error could occur in a league that claims to be improving its officiating standards.

Some fans went even further, suggesting that Rangers were being consistently on the wrong end of tight decisions, reigniting long-standing debates about refereeing standards in Scottish football.

Calls for transparency grew louder. Supporters demanded to hear the audio between officials. Pundits questioned why VAR, introduced to prevent exactly this type of controversy, appeared powerless.

And then, under mounting pressure, the SPFL finally responded.

SPFL’s ‘Shocking’ Statement Explained

Later that evening, the SPFL released an official statement addressing the offside decision — and it stunned almost everyone who read it.

According to the league, the goal was ruled out not because of Moore’s position at the moment of the final pass, but due to his involvement in the build-up phase, with officials claiming that a marginal touch earlier in the move triggered the offside call.

The statement suggested that the assistant referee judged Moore to be in an offside position during an earlier phase, and that VAR could not intervene because the decision was deemed “subjective” rather than a clear and obvious error.

That explanation did not go down well.

Why the Statement Made Things Worse

Instead of calming tensions, the SPFL’s response deepened the controversy.

Firstly, fans questioned why broadcast footage never showed the earlier phase referenced in the statement. Every replay focused on the final pass — the moment Moore finished — and in that frame, he appeared onside.

Secondly, the idea that VAR could not overturn the decision baffled pundits. Many argued that if the offside line was incorrectly judged, it should fall squarely within VAR’s remit.

Thirdly, the wording of the statement was criticised as vague and evasive. There were no images, no diagrams, and no concrete evidence provided — just an explanation that relied on trust in the officials’ interpretation.

For many Rangers fans, it felt like an attempt to defend the indefensible.

Pundits and Former Officials Weigh In

The controversy quickly spread beyond supporters.

Several former referees admitted that the decision was “extremely tight” at best, while others conceded that the explanation raised more questions than answers. Pundits highlighted inconsistencies with similar incidents earlier in the season, where VAR had intervened in almost identical scenarios.

One former player summed it up bluntly:

“If that’s offside, then nobody knows what offside is anymore.”

What This Means for Rangers Going Forward

Beyond the outrage, the decision could have real consequences.

Two dropped points in a title race can be decisive. Momentum matters. Confidence matters. And controversial decisions like this have a habit of lingering in players’ minds.

Rangers now face increased pressure to respond on the pitch, knowing that fine margins may not go their way. Every missed chance, every refereeing call, will now be viewed through a lens of suspicion and frustration.

A Wider Problem in Scottish Football

This incident has reopened a much bigger debate about officiating in the SPFL.

Despite the introduction of VAR, controversies continue to dominate headlines. Fans are asking whether the technology is being used consistently, whether referees are adequately supported, and whether transparency is truly a priority.

The Mikey Moore incident has become a symbol — not just of one disallowed goal, but of a system many believe is failing to deliver clarity and fairness.

Conclusion: A Decision That Won’t Be Forgotten

Rangers vs Hibernian will be remembered not for the football, but for a moment that left everyone furious.

A goal that looked legitimate.

An explanation that satisfied nobody.

And a statement that only poured fuel on an already raging fire.

Whether the SPFL intended it or not, the controversy surrounding Mikey Moore’s disallowed goal is far from over. Fans are still demanding answers, pressure is mounting on officials, and trust in the system has taken another serious hit.

One thing is certain:

This decision will be replayed, debated, and argued about for a very long time — and Rangers supporters will feel its sting for the rest of the season.