'This will haunt you' - Kyle Vassell addresses Shaun Rooney flashpoint
Kilmarnock's skipper believes the club is getting a hard time from the officials this season, as he exclusively reveals what he told the referee afterwards.
Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell has spoken out for the first time since being kicked TWICE by Shaun Rooney.
The 31-year-old has revealed what he said to the referee as it became apparent that Rooney had escaped punishment for his actions.
Last month, the St Mirren right-back controversially avoided a red card for lashing out at the Killie striker on two occasions.
Referee Matthew MacDermid awarded a foul to the hosts in Paisley after Vassell went down too easily under the attention of the defender near the touchline.
Rooney - who is currently suspended by the Buddies for a more recent off-field incident - then decided to kick his opponent’s right leg not once, but twice while he lay face down on the turf.
MacDermid’s view of the flashpoint was seemingly obscured, but VAR inexplicably reviewed the goings-on and ruled that there was no requirement for Rooney to be sent off.
As part of the Scottish FA’s weekly review into key Scottish Premiership incidents, this has since been judged to be the incorrect call.
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Vassell insists Killie aren’t getting a fair crack of the whip when it comes to officiating, as he had some strong words about the use of video technology.
“I said to the referee at the time ‘This will haunt you,’” he exclusively told the Killie Chronicle. “A week later, it’s viral all over social media and I’m getting messages left, right and centre about it.
“It was a terrible decision and I don’t know what VAR is for if they’re not looking at that and thinking it’s a red card.
“At no point did he play the ball. Where he kicked me was nowhere near where the ball was.
“On the day though, I don’t know how that’s not a red card with VAR involved.
“In the lower leagues of Scotland and England with no VAR, I can kind of understand that the ref’s got to make a decision.
“But when you’ve got the luxury of VAR when they can actually take their time, sit and analyse what’s happened, where he’s kicked me, the fact he kicked me twice, I don’t understand it.
“I’m not a victim, but I’ve had a red card for much less than that at Hibs a couple of seasons ago. It’s beggars belief.
“VAR has to improve. St Mirren should’ve had another guy [Mikael Mandron] off for two yellows too.