It’s not the image we need, in terms of constant criticism
FROM BACK PAGE to spend their earnings from European football to replace plastic pitches with grass, Levein urged Celtic and Rangers to also consider the greater good of the game.
That suggestion and much more will be raised in the summit approved yesterday at an SFA board meeting and scheduled for January.
It will gather together SFA and league chiefs with the managers association, players union and referees association.
The aim is to end the culture of silence that surrounds the refereeing fraternity and open a constructive dialogue that can foster a spirit of co-operation and respect.
Maxwell said: “I had tried to get a bit of discussion going about VAR because we’ve never scoped it out properly.
“There has been anecdotal talk about it costing X or Y but we’ve never got to the bottom of exactly what it would cost, what an implementation plan would look like.
“I was at an IFAB (International Football Association Board) country two weeks ago and more countries than not are now looking at implementing it.
“We discussed that yesterday and agreed that, alongside the SPFL, Neil Doncaster and I would go and have a serious look at it.
“That then rolled into a more general discussion about refereeing.
“It’s highlighted in the media and that’s kept going. It’s perpetuating the cycle of managers being critical of refs.
“There’s a view, certainly within this building, that we want to address that, want to stop that – and get everybody in the same room at the same time to talk through how we can understand issues, concerns and where each other is coming from.
“We can hopefully help people understand our assessment and training and get across to managers that we have no issue with them saying a referee made a poor decision.
“We have no issue with them saying a referee’s performance was poor. But there are ways to say that. It’s not the image that we need, in terms of constant criticism.
“Everybody who is involved, get us all around the table and get as much engagement as we can. The plan would be to open up regular communication lines, whether that is even just three or four times a season. Having that engagement over a long period will lead to far better understanding and far better communication.”
The timing of the meeting is likely to be after the winter break to ensure managers can attend. But even if they get their wish for VAR, the system can’t be fast-tracked in time for next season.
Maxwell added: “There is a bit of a myth out there that VAR is a great idea and we can do it for next season.
“We would trial it in the background at matches first, without announcing we were using it.
“It’s not as simple as sticking a TV at the side of the pitch. People need to be trained.
“When it was implemented at first, there were teething problems with it. We don’t want to start it unless we’re totally prepared.
“The cost comes out of the distribution pot, so clubs will end up paying for it themselves. They can make that decision once we find out what the numbers are.”
Levein insisted Hearts would be willing to contribute towards the cost of VAR, estimated to be around £10,000 per game.
But he reckons the Old Firm should be the ones who delve into their deeper pockets.
Jambos boss Levein said: “Referees need help and VAR would help them.
“I really do think that for the benefit of the game something needs to be done and if it requires money I’ll ask (owner Ann Budge) if we would be prepared to contribute to that.
“The thing in Holland was really fascinating for me. Maybe the Old Firm will give up their European money to put VAR in.
SFA CHIEF IAN MAXWELL ON REF RAGE OF BOSSES
“If we were sitting with bundles of money in the bank, I would be asking Ann to.
“I’m a huge advocate of Scottish football being a good spectacle and something we are all proud of.
“I’m willing to speak to anybody to talk about what we need to do to make things better in the game.
“But you’d need the SFA to get everyone together.
“We need to talk about the situation, rather than burying our heads in the sand.”