VAR test for Scottish Cup semis axed

WHEN the voting slips are in from all 42 senior clubs on the SPFL’s proposal to end the season, the outcome could have huge repercussions for my own side Kelty Hearts. Sitting six points clear of Bonnyrigg Rose, albeit having played a game more in the Lowland League, if it is approved after today’s 5pm deadline we will be denied the chance of promotion. The same will apply to Highland League champions Brora Rangers who are due to play the winners of our division in a play-off to join the senior ranks.

And Brechin City, seven points adrift at the bottom of League Two, would be saved from relegation.

How would I feel if this is what transpires at tea-time? I can’t deny I’d be absolutely gutted.

The same way Hearts, Partick Thistle and Falkirk are also feeling as the three clubs who look like being the biggest losers from this proposal.

That is why they have made it clear they will be voting against the idea and I can totally understand why as I’m pretty sure we would be the same if we had a say.

The bottom line is the situation, as a result of the coronavirus, is unprecedented and there is no easy way to solve the problem of what to do with the end of the season.

Whatever decision the authorities come to will see some clubs unhappy. But how can we ensure they are kept to a minimum? Reconstruction is the best answer.

And the feeling I get from listening to the various interviews from club chairmen and directors – and even reading fans’ views – is that most of the country believes the time is right for change.

The SPFL said in their statement they are “committed to consulting with clubs over the possibility of league restructuring ahead of season 2020/21 IF the resolution is approved”.

And I really hope they aren’t just paying lip service to the idea of reconstruction and dangling the carrot in front of clubs who will be most affected in return for votes.

Hearts supremo Ann Budge pointed to a line in the statement which said “…it is very difficult to achieve consensus behind any restructuring proposal, let alone quickly” and you have to say that doesn’t sound too promising. But I really hope they can find a way. I have been clear in this column from the start that I believe we should grasp the chance to reconstruct the leagues and I felt that even before the coronavirus shutdown.

I would like to see bigger leagues that would hopefully make it more competitive. The set-up has been the same for too long and it’s getting kind of boring.

And I would want to know from the SPFL that reconstruction is genuinely high on the list of priorities as I think the majority of teams would be happy with that.

I also understand we’ve just signed a new, exclusive, £160million, five-year deal with Sky Sports and that they will need to get four Old Firm fixtures for that.

I don’t know what the perfect solution is but there are other people in a better position than me who can decide the finer details.

However, I’ve been saying for the last 18 months that Scottish football just needs freshened up.

This is the chance to give it a shake and try to kick on so I hope the SPFL see sense.

Something still has to be done with the remainder of the season whether they reconstruct or not.

I keep hearing people say that every chance must be given to finish the campaign.

But when? It could be up to five months before a ball is kicked again. I’d love to complete the season too but I’m a realist.

Are these people not watching the news every day?

We’re approaching 8000 deaths in the UK from coronavirus with almost 500 in Scotland and building work has started at the temporary NHS

Scotland hospital at the SECC. This virus isn’t going away any time soon.

We need to be blunt about it and accept we can’t play football for months so it’s all about finding a solution.

I sincerely hope reconstruction is part of it but if not then calling the season is about the only thing you really can do because carrying over the campaign would wreak havoc on the 2020/21 season.

Do you start next term in October and cram the whole season into seven months? We’ve got the European Championships which are kicking off in June so I just don’t think it’s possible.

You also have to remember the players in all of this because while they’ve been keeping themselves ticking over during lockdown they will be nowhere near the fitness level required for competitive football.

It’s usually around five weeks from day one of pre-season to the first league match of the season so we have to take that into account.

There is a lot to be decided and if tonight’s vote goes through then from a personal point of view it will be a blow because it will look like all the hard work at Kelty this season will count for nothing.

I spoke to a few people at the club earlier this week and told them not to panic yet and we have to cling to the hope that we can be saved by reconstruction.

We’d be hugely disappointed and I’d feel it most for the players who have put so much into the season and those behind the scenes, including volunteers, who dedicate their lives to the club.

But I hope for the sake of Scottish football and not just Kelty Hearts that those in power grasp the opportunity to change our game for the better.

FROM BACK PAGE underway to use the system as it would have been installed at Hampden for the postponed Nations League play-off between Scotland and Israel and for the four Euro 2020 games that would have been held at the National Stadium.

Head of referee operations Allan, speaking on the Scottish FA website, said: “VAR was being analysed in some detail prior to lockdown and we have been talking to suppliers and obtaining costs.

“We have also been talking to a number of other countries across Europe to learn from them.

“Consistently it takes between six to nine months to fully implement VAR and the required infrastructure, and to train all relevant stakeholder groups from referees, to clubs, to media and spectators.

“There are financial implications and ongoing year-on-year costs for the use of VAR.

“With the recent downturn in the economy and income to football in general, this may have an impact on the viability of VAR in the short term and the timing of its potential introduction to Scotland.

“I am in favour of its introduction and I know a lot of the Premiership clubs have come out in favour of it, so it may be a matter of timing.

“Ironically the technology was due to be installed at Hampden for the Nations League play-off semi-final and also Euro 2020.

“That led to detailed discussions on whether we could have used the opportunity to have some live testing during the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals or finals.

“Unfortunately the postponement of the Euro finals for 12 months has removed that possibility but I remain optimistic that we will have VAR before long.”

Allan believes the technology is the future of the sport and he added: “I see it more an investment in optimising correct decision-making, for referees and the game.

“However, I understand there are far more important matters that we are contending with at the present time.”