Referee department head applauds supportive feedback from Rangers manager Philippe Clement, finding it highly beneficial
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is currently focusing on enhancing the accuracy and transparency of match decisions and VAR reviews in the Scottish Premiership. This comes in response to a series of recent controversies and concerns raised by teams and fans.
In a bid to increase understanding and transparency, the SFA has launched "The VAR Review" monthly show. This initiative aims to provide insights into refereeing decisions in Scottish football, offering a closer look at the decision-making processes behind VAR outcomes.
One of the key figures at the heart of this debate is referee Willie Collum, who has been a subject of controversy in recent months. Rangers made a request to the SFA for Collum to be excluded from any involvement in Rangers matches following a non-penalty incident in the Old Firm game at the end of last year. However, head of referee operations at the SFA, Crawford Allan, has stated that Collum would not be removed from Rangers duties. Allan emphasized the importance of maintaining the current refereeing team, including Collum, for Rangers matches.
The Independent Review Panel (IRP) has questioned three incorrect decisions involving Rangers, including two penalties: one against Ross McCausland at Livingston and one against Abdallah Sima at Ibrox. The IRP also claimed that Collum should have recommended an on-field review for a potential penalty, but the offside ruling ultimately made the decision not to award the spot-kick correct.
Despite these controversies, the SFA believes they have a lot more decisions right than wrong, with hundreds of potential reviews having been handled correctly. The SFA accepts the view of the IRP and sees their role as assisting in ensuring they are not seen to be marking their own homework.
In a show of support, Rangers manager Philippe Clement has voiced his backing for the performance of match officials. Clement dismissed notions that any referee is "not neutral" and vowed to leave the past behind. Allan praised Clement's supportive comments towards the referees and encouraged a focus on the positive experiences of Scottish referees in football.
Looking ahead, the SFA is committed to developing and supporting their referees. They will continue to appoint referees to matches based on their experience level. There have also been discussions about further innovations, such as mic'd-up referees for VAR decisions and referee cameras, which could enhance the viewer experience and improve decision-making processes.
While the focus in Scottish football tends to be on the few incorrect decisions, the SFA views the rise in incorrect decisions as "realism." Scottish football, like any other, is not immune to human error. However, the SFA will not lose sight of the need to improve. They will continue to focus on continuing to develop their referees and work towards a more transparent and fair Scottish Premiership.
[1] The VAR Review: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/2021/09/29/the-var-review-launches-with-first-episode-on-amazon-prime-video/ [2] VAR Expansion Discussions: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/20/fifa-consider-expansion-of-var-to-cover-more-aspects-of-the-game [3] Potential Innovations: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58994182
In light of the ongoing debates and controversies, the SFA has introduced "The VAR Review" monthly show to provide insights into refereeing decisions in Scottish football, highlighting the decision-making processes behind VAR outcomes. (First sentence)
With the discussions for further innovations such as mic'd-up referees for VAR decisions and referee cameras, there's an aim to enhance the viewer experience and improve decision-making processes in Scottish football, moving towards a more transparent and fair Scottish Premiership. (Second sentence)
