The SFA has leaked out details of a VAR summit to try and take the pressure away from the inconsistencies that have blighted the game in recent weeks.
Handball seems to be a particular issue where it is all down to the interpretation of individual referees which can see vast discrepancies occur on the same day.
Ange Postecoglou didn’t get the media frenzy ahead of VAR but four days after being denied a penalty in the Glasgow derby he spoke out about three major decisions going against Celtic that won’t be balanced up over the remainder of the season.
Those comments seem to spurred the SFA into action but it is difficult to image any concrete action coming from what is essentially a talking shop as Keith Jackson reveals in the Daily Record:
Scottish football is set to hold a VAR summit next week in a bid to force changes to the controversial handball rule.
Record Sport understands the powerful Professional Game Board has contacted all top flight clubs for their suggestions ahead of the crunch meeting – and plans to take the feedback straight to the law makers at IFAB. We can also reveal SFA chiefs are planning an end of season VAR review with all Premiership clubs in a bid to clear up the confusion which is blighting the game.
Record Sport understands chief executive Ian Maxwell will convene sit down talks with the top 12 as part of a summer review of the roll out of the technology midway through the current campaign. But, after a spate of recent penalty controversies, the PGB hope to take the bull by the horns by drafting their own solutions and sending them to the decision makers in Zurich.
Maxwell has already held one sit down with the Premiership clubs to get their feedback after the first five weeks of Clydesdale House going live. And he will continue to liaise with clubs on an ongoing basis amidst a storm of early flash points.
Are you satisfied with way Celtic have dealt with the VAR issues highlighted by Ange?
Yes, working quietly in the background is the way to go
No, these issues need challenged in public at every turn
It is unclear of Maxwell’s summit will be with manager’s of CEO’s, if managers aren’t involved the meeting will be largely pointless.
Ahead of the introduction of VAR the SFA opened up to the media about the incredible facilities that they have installed and the detailed training that had been undertaken.
VAR was due to be introduced after the World Cup break but such was their confidence in the officials that it was brought in for the final five rounds of fixtures before the Qatar break.
In matchday 1 Celtic had two penalties awarded against them at Hearts followed by farcical decisions against Alexandro Bernabei and Matt O’Riley in matches against Dundee United and Ross County.
As predicted.
SFA chief Ian Maxwell warns it will take three months of hell to get used to VAR https://t.co/Hxf7iBHOfN— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) January 9, 2023
The reasons given for calling this summit are grossly disingenuous and negligent. The underlying issue is referee and VAR appointments. There should be no doubt about neutrality and competence.
JACKANORY JACKANORY.
The handball incident at tynecastle was in my opinion the worst of the lot and the celtic board should have taken action. It was a stonewaller and the reason var was brought in yet somehow no penalty was given ?.
Computer jargon: Rubbish In, Rubbish Out!
Bob Dylan, Poet, songwriter: Guns and Sharp Swords In The Hands Of Young Children.
General Saying: Embarrassment Of Riches.
Any more cliche’s for the SFA.?
I hope someone at the summit brings up the 50 bob , cheapskate version of VAR we have in Scotland in operation ! You know the one we have with less cameras and much fewer angles on which to make decisions ! If we don’t have the proper tools and technologies in place to do the job correctly and lawfully ,the perceived corruption will only escalate further !
Editor: Don’t build your hopes up. Talking shop, frank exchange of views, clear the air, blah blah. Same again lads.