Lack of VAR has Scottish refs out in cold

Scotland’s top referees are set to be snubbed from European and international matches because we don’t have VAR in this country.

It’s been revealed that our leading officials Willie Collum and Bobby Madden will be excluded from major Champions League and Europa League matches.

And they are also set to be blanked from the Euro 2020 finals next year.

Former referee Charlie Richmond reckons Scotland is becoming a backwater because the country is lagging so far behind.

SPFL chief Neil Doncaster has already said that cost is a huge issue in terms of TV resource and an extra two officials, but Richmond says we simply need to

“If we don’t get in line then we won’t see our guys abroad”

catch up with the rest of Europe.

All of the major leagues are using it this season – England. France. Germany, Italy and Spain.

However, there are also versions in Belgium. Holland, Portugal, Turkey Greece, Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Richmond said: “If we don’t get in line and start using the VAR system in Scotland then you won’t see our guys going abroad.

“That was evident when Bobby Madden went to do his Champions League match recently between Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade

“The VAR officials were flown in from Holland because it’s only Bobby and Willie Collum that are trained in VAR.

“It was the same when Willie covered Juventus against Bayer Leverkusen – the VAR officials came from Spain. So when it comes to the more important games our referees will miss out.”