In a defining moment for Scottish football, a significant meeting took place on Sunday between the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and its officials. [BBC]
This gathering, unprecedented in its nature, was propelled by the recent controversial events following the Rangers-Celtic clash at Celtic Park on December 30th.
The spotlight fell on referee Willie Collum, who found himself in a precarious position after the Ibrox club’s vehement criticism and their subsequent request to exclude him from officiating their matches. This move, leaked by a fan media site, raised eyebrows and hinted at underlying distrust.
The crux of the issue stemmed from a contentious handball incident during the Glasgow derby. On-field referee Nick Walsh, supported by VAR official Willie Collum, deemed the Alistair Johnston-Sima flashpoint as not a penalty.
Adding to the complexity, subsequent analyses revealed that any penalty, had it been awarded, would have been nullified due to an offside in the build-up. Despite this clarity, the reaction from Rangers was of profound discontent, focusing their ire on the officials rather than introspecting their own performance.
Phillipe Clement, the Ibrox manager, remained fixated on the non-awarded penalty, seemingly overlooking or dismissing the offside rule that would have invalidated it anyway. His post-match comments added fuel to the already blazing controversy. The Rangers insistence led to a meeting with the SFA, where they were granted access to the audio of the VAR decision.
At Sunday’s critical meeting, as reported by BBC Scotland, officials voiced their concerns about the escalating pressures exacerbated by the introduction of VAR.
One official candidly expressed the inadequacy of support and training provided by the SFA, alongside the need for more investment. The sentiment echoed among the referees was clear: they felt undervalued and overburdened, a situation calling for immediate attention and action.
A striking revelation from the meeting was the officials’ openness to the idea of releasing VAR audio, contingent upon an increase in their match fee. This proposal, if implemented, could usher in a new era of transparency in Scottish football, allowing fans and teams alike to gain insights into the decision-making process. Any move of this nature would have to get a blessing from UEFA.
From a wider perspective, this incident and its fallout underscore the need for respect and understanding towards officials who are integral to the game. The episode at Ibrox, widely perceived as lacking grace, calls for a reflective apology, especially in light of the defeat to Celtic.
It is imperative that clubs maintain professionalism and poise, regardless of match outcomes.
The SFA’s response to this situation and their engagement with the officials signal a positive step towards addressing the complexities introduced by VAR and the mental toll on referees.
As the dust settles on this episode, one can only hope that it marks the beginning of a more collaborative and transparent relationship between clubs, officials, and the governing bodies. Such developments would undoubtedly enhance the integrity and enjoyment of the game in Scotland.
While the immediate aftermath of the Rangers-Celtic match highlighted the tensions and challenges inherent in modern football, it has also opened avenues for constructive dialogue and potential reforms.
As I have stated countless times on here in various Var type threads, the crux of the problem is not the technology.
It’s the humans monitoring it is the problem, they all know how to read the rules of the game and make decisions on them.
What let’s them down (the referees and assistants) is making the wrong decisions onfield that the Var flags up.
So why can’t they agree with what the software is showing them. The rules haven’t changed overnight.
Admit your shi7e at this job and get some post educational teenagers to do your job of saying what the software flags up.
It’s not asking you to build and then maintain a Var system, from individual I.C. components. But watch a video game snippet of the action.
Some of the rules esp handball in the box are vague at best. The recent incident the defender seemed to turn into the ball that his hand hit, is that ball to hand, is that making himself bigger, is that stopping a competitor advantage, was his arm in an unnatural position, was it meant? The defender wasn’t even looking at the ball.
Postecoglu last season lost some strange handball pens, O’Riley, bernabei to name a couple when there were a few basketball moments by rangers defenders that were not deemed pens. Ange asked for clarity are ALL handballs in the box a pen if so fine.
If rangers get any credence to their recent protestations I hope the other teams in the league get the same when they complain. Can of worms will open.
So the rules are at best ambiguous.