SPFL SEEK VAR SPONSOR TO EASE COST FEARS

THE SPFL have promised to pursue a sponsor for VAR in a quest to lower the annual cost for cash-strapped clubs. All 42 senior teams from the SPFL will vote on the introduction of video assistant referees next Tuesday. In order to proceed, nine clubs from the Premiership need to be in favour, with eight clubs from the Championship and 15 clubs from League One and League Two granting their assent. Last night, however, league chiefs were increasingly confident of a ‘yes’ vote to implement the system in the top flight after December’s World Cup finals in Qatar — and for the semi-finals and final of next season’s Premier Sports Cup.

With no sponsor currently in place, Premiership clubs have been told that the price they pay each year will depend on their final league placing. Anticipated costs are estimated to be £1.4million, so charging all 12 clubs equally would mean an annual bill of £117,800 each. With some clubs reluctant to pay that much, however, a briefing paper sent to them proposes charging clubs a percentage of their annual prize money relative to their league placing.

The winners of the SPFL would meet 16.29 per cent of the cost, equating to £195,751. The runners-up would pay 11.67 per cent, totalling a payment of £140,234. From position four to 12, every club would be charged less than the bill for splitting the costs equally. The clubs which finish 11th and 12th in the Premiership would both meet 5.63 per cent of the bill, coming to £67,594 each. Clubs would be invoiced their share of the costs by mid-August, with a balancing payment or rebate sent out at the end of the season. One-off set-up costs for the project come to almost £400,000 — with much of the cash going towards the establishment of a VAR suite and fibre optic cabling needed to install six camera positions in each ground. In the information sent to clubs, however, the SPFL promised to engage with the SFA over potential sponsorship opportunities to bring down the final price tag for each club. While initial teething troubles and controversial decisions could make video technology a tough sell, the league have assured chairmen that they plan to explore commercial opportunities. The SFA are still considering their position with regard to introducing VAR for the Scottish Cup.