There is certainly no funding issues at BBC Scotland with a new venture called VARdict checking out refereeing issues.
The show provides income to Richard Foster as the state broadcaster attempts to turn the former Rangers defender into a presenter with personality. Joining him for the whitewash is former referee Stuart Dougal.
Reviewing the last two rounds of SPFL Premiership fixtures the dynamic duo body-swerve any incidents involving the two Glasgow clubs.
Launching their bland new initiative, BBC Scotland announced:
Welcome to The VARdict – BBC Sport Scotland’s new weekly review of decisions made via video assistant referees in the Scottish Premiership.
The Scottish FA’s new system to aid match officials has had a controversial first few months in operation.
Now, each week, pundit Richard Foster and former top Scottish and Fifa referee Stuart Dougal will analyse the latest talking points for the BBC.
We promise plenty of healthy debate from a player and referee perspective. But we also hope it provides a clearer understanding of why decisions are made on the pitch and promotes a better knowledge of the laws of the game.
Dougal hurriedly stepped down from refereeing in 2009, soon after sending Charlie Mulgrew off in a key post-split fixture at Ibrox.
Later that week he was a guest speaker at Larkhall Bowling Club, entertaining members with wacky tales from his refereeing career.
Launching a weekly column in the Daily Record in October 2009 Dougal explained:
In the game between Rangers and Aberdeen the following weekend I felt I should not have allowed myself to be conned by Kyle Lafferty when he went down feigning a butt from Charlie Mulgrew.
I was sure at the time Charlie was guilty but evidence later showed how wrong I was to red-card him.
I’m now actually glad it happened because every time I watch a referee now I’m reminded from my own experience how difficult a job it is.
Had everything gone as sweet as a nut in my last few games I might have retired kidding myself on I was better than I really was.
“Had everything gone as sweet as a nut in my last few games I might have retired kidding myself on I was better than I really was.”
I think we can all agree he was kidding himself on his entire career.
Is there such a poor choice when it comes to articulate ex footballers that we have to have Richard Foster on the BBC. He has never played at highest level of Scottish football. He was a ‘rangers’ player when they were in the lower divisions fps!
This same clown went to Stonelaw High with a hun scarf on his neck everyday
Editor: We know the BBC Scotland recruitment policy.
A dull ex hun and an ex ref who hates Celtic to get the narrative out there by agreeing that VAR rulings which go against us are the correct ones .
They might as well just get Kevin Thompson and Hugh Dallas to do it
What he is actually saying is that he sent a player off for a headbut without seeing any headbut .
He has said he was conned , so the linesman didnt tell him it was a headbut
and so he decided himself to act on something he clearly did not see.
IIRC lafferty did the same regarding Scott Brown with the same outcome .
Maybe lafferty was physic
Is there another country on planet fitba where a referee is glad he wrongly sent off a player ? .
I’m surprised that he didn’t say that he was DUPED …