A step in the right direction ONVAR debate
Just about every referee in Scotland wants VAR to be introduced to Scottish football.
Well, it looks like they are about to get their wish.
At the behest of the SFA and SPFL, Howard Webb – the Englishman who refereed the 2010 World Cup Final – will make a presentation on VAR to all Premiership clubs.
It will allow Howard to talk through the evolution of the technology since its inception, and introduction into the laws of the game in 2018.
Hopefully, it will lead to it being used on a permanent basis in all Premiership games, and latter-stage cup ties, from the start of the 2022/23 season.
Bringing in VAR comes at great expense, but it will be money well spent.
Sure, there will still be debate around contentious decisions, particularly handball. But, on the whole, it should be beneficial.
It means the referees will be getting help when they need it, and all we all want is for the right decision to be reached.
There will still be arguments as some things will remain down to opinion, but most will be decided on factual evidence.
So credit to Ian Maxwell and Neil Doncaster for putting this on the agenda, and trying to get it going.
VAR is not perfect. But the good thing is that other countries, who have had it for a few years, have had teething problems to deal with.
Scotland will be getting it when solutions have been found.
I was saddened to hear of Roger Hunt’s passing.
Thanks to Roger and others from his era, the foundations were laid for Liverpool FC to be what it is now.
Players from my era, and the current team, have benefitted from the likes of Roger, Ronnie Moran, Tom Saunders, Bob Paisley, Reuben Bennett, Joe Fagan and Bill Shankly.
All were brilliant men.