Celtic are championing VAR in Scotland behind the scenes in Scotland and have made it clear, they’d like to see it implemented as soon as possible.
VAR has been controversial and tedious at times, but it can get the big calls right. However, as I mentioned on social media this week – it’s not a silver bullet.
IF we put VAR into the wrong hands, it could make for some even more infuriating moments like the one highlighted below in Australia. A last-minute penalty was denied, even after the referee went over to look at it from multiple angles.
This is proof introducing VAR in Scotland won’t be some kind of silver bullet for horrible decisions.
If the people officiating Scottish football right now remain the same, we’ll get plenty of moments like below. https://t.co/qtP7j0zvx7
— Craig (@CraigCelt) February 22, 2022
It’s my biggest issue with VAR coming to Scotland. We have part-time officials who struggle with the rules of the game on a good day. We’re then going to ask them to run and operate VAR to a high standard – I’m sceptical.
Since the VAR debate came up, it’s boggled my mind our game would install an expensive system while we still have part-time officials who aren’t completely focused on their craft.
How can hope to get better unless serious reform in the way our league finds and promotes officials? Right now, it’s a closed shop with the SFA’s favourites getting the run of the show.
Yes, VAR can sort out the obvious decisions like a handball or an offside – and we should welcome that. But when we get into the minutia, are the people running our game capable of running VAR competently. The jury’s out.
