Ref degree considered in revamp

EXCLUSIVE

PLANS for a university degree in refereeing will be discussed as part of a summer revamp of the SFA’s under-fire judicial system. Full-time referees and the implementation of VAR were also raised at a meeting of Premiership clubs and the SFA hierarchy at Hampden on Monday.

Sportsmail understands, however, that proposals to use foreign referees for SPFL games are unlikely to carry widespread support. An SPFL working party has been appointed to examine changes to the SFA’s judicial protocols, with the board of the governing body likely to implement changes in time

for next season. Changes to the current disciplinary system are certain after a season of controversies and angry complaints. A number of clubs expressed concern about the standards of refereeing. And a proposal to introduce a university degree in refereeing, with plans to fasttrack graduates to the senior ranks, will be looked at by the working party. The implementation of full-time referees will also be considered, but poses problems in terms of the cost of recruiting officials and persuading some to give up better-paid professions. Clubs who can afford Video Assistant Referees could be granted a green light to trial their own systems with a view to winning FIFA approval in two years’ time. Supportive of VAR, Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson claims Scottish football is ‘re-refereeing’ games under the present disciplinary system. He said: ‘That is placing pressure on the referees, which places pressure on the compliance system and disciplinary system.’ Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has spoken in support of a pool of overseas referees supplementing the existing band of Scottish officials. Concerned by the message that would send to aspiring officials, however, club sources have told Sportsmail the move is ‘very unlikely’. Scotland boss Alex McLeish has leapt to the defence of the nation’s under-fire referees, saying: ‘I want our guys to continue (being in charge of matches). Referees are under scrutiny like never before. Back in the day at Aberdeen, I had run-ins with referees, as did Sir Alex Ferguson, while Willie Miller refereed games really well. ‘But I always felt refereeing was the toughest job in football because of the abuse they got — and that was back then. ‘Now the scrutiny is very severe with cameras, VAR and social media. There’s no hiding place. ‘We should back the guys as much as we can. VAR is coming — it can’t be stopped. I would welcome anything that would help referees. Would full-time referees help? I don’t know...’ But McLeish would like to see the nation’s match officials be firmer with players and believes they should be held in a higher esteem, like they are on the continent. He added: ‘The players have more respect for refs in the Champions League or Europa League. ‘They know not to mess with the refs. They seem so much firmer and if you confront them, it’s an instant booking. ‘I think (Scottish) referees have to be firm and there has to be a respect but you don’t want refs to be stubborn. ‘I saw a ref give a penalty recently and then got the word in his ear and changed his mind. That upset the other team, but it was the right decision.’