Managers agreed, but vote and timing likely to ignite more VAR controversy
With just a handful of games to go before the season reaches its conclusion, there are few, if any, managers who have not questioned a key refereeing decision throughout a competitive campaign.
In a season when a single point could prove the difference between top six and bottomsix, and the late opportunity to contest a European spot, it is likely some memories will fester. Which is why so many topflight managers, whose clubs will be the focus if the proposal to introduce VAR is adopted by Spflclubsw hen they vote on it on April 19, have made it known they are in favour.
As it stands, VAR could be integrated into the Scottish top flight immediately after this year’s World Cup break after the SPFL circulated a resolution to all 42 member clubs on Monday, which will be voted on at their general meeting.
Hibs were the first club to come out in favour of the ingame video analysis after the vote was publicised. But their manager, Shaun Maloney, had already done so long before the governing body got its act together. And, he was, by no means a lone voice.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou made a January assertion VAR would cut the number of wild tackles, insisting: “Most countries have VAR now and those kind of things don’t escape punishment anymore. That’s the right way to go about it. If you havevar,wh at you see is less of them. herein scotland we obviously don’ th aveVAR .”
Moreover, hearts boss robbie Neilson recently said he would “love it to happen”, offering his opinion Scottish club’s “need to do it to step forward”.
The plan, should 75 percent of Premiership clubs, 75 per cent of the Championship and 75 percent of leagues 1 and 2 combined vote in favour, is to introduce the technology for all topflight games when the Premiershipaction resumes post- qatar.
And, on immediate review, that is where the contention already kick sin. as it stands, it is understood lower league clubs will not stand in the way. However, given the fact they will be left on the outside looking in – like the officials in a VAR nerve centreinglasgow–ifandwhen the system is up and running, why should they have such a strong opportunity to veto?
It is another example of the SPFL making things more fraught than necessary, while the decision to kick things off mid-season also has potential for more controversy – throwing up that phrase ‘sporting integrity’ again. A goal stands earlier in the season to give one team the points, but VAR disallows a similar instance late in the campaign and those issues decide the league, or relegation, or Europe, or even just a league placing and the subsequent financial rewards. It is an unnecessary spark in a game already flammable.
Nevertheless, the sense of urgency is understandable, given the number of errors this season and the after-the-fact trialbytv which highlights problems, but can notre dress them.
This was heightened on saturday when Livingston angered by a penalty not given for handball against St Johnstone.
“Everyone in the stadium including the seagulls knew it was a penalty ,” fumed li vim an age rD avid Martin dale .“The significance of that decision could be massive for this club – I’m fuming. They (officials) are only human beings, I get that. But the sooner we get VAR in Scottish football the better.”
In the hurry torus hit through, it is about getting more things right as soon as possible, even if the timing is imperfect. And woebetide anyone if they prove themselves blinder than the Mcdiarmid Park seagulls and fail to read the room.