Notwithstanding an analysis that reveals a significant rise in incorrect decisions, the head of Scottish football refereeing argues that VAR is “adding value and accuracy” to the game.
During the second round of Premiership fixtures, including the most recent Old Firm rivalry, the Scottish FA’s VAR independent review panel found that thirteen rulings were wrong.
Compared to the three faults reported during the first round of top flight games, this is a notable improvement.
Crawford Allan, Head of Referee Operations for the Scottish FA, is adamant that VAR keeps elevating Scottish football.
He said to BBC Sport Scotland, “VAR is something that is now part of the top table of football at the top professional levels.”
“Why would you want to remove something that, in actuality, makes the game’s decision-making better? Particularly at that stage of the game when money is at stake.
“That’s what it was brought in for – and we’ve got proof that it is adding value and accuracy to the Scottish football diet.”
According to the findings, VAR erred in not recommending a review of Alastair Johnston’s handball by Celtic defense during the most recent Old Firm rivalry.
The panel did, however, also point out an offside in the build-up that would have prevented Rangers from receiving a penalty on December 30.
The Scottish FA assembled a panel of former players, managers, and coaches who were “guided by experts on the laws of the game” during the inaugural season that the video technology was used.
There have been 785 VAR reviews in the first two game rounds; most of them have been “silent checks” that don’t need any action.
According to the most recent data from the Scottish FA, 24 factual overturns (offside, inside/outside penalty area) and 51 on-field reviews were the outcome of checks.
What decisions were considered to be incorrect?
BBC Scotland understands the panel found the following calls wrong.
- VAR correct to recommend an on-field review for a potential penalty for Hearts’ Liam Boyce. Decision should then have been penalty. (Motherwell v Hearts, 11 Nov)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field review after Rangers’ Ross McCausland was awarded a penalty. Decision should then been no penalty (Livingston v Rangers, 12 Nov)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field review for a potential red card for Kilmarnock’s Will Dennis. Decision should have been red card. (Kilmarnock v Hearts, 2 Dec)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field review for a foul in the build-up to Motherwell’s Bevis Mugabi’s goal. Decision should have been disallow goal. (Motherwell v Dundee, 2 Dec)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field review for a potential red card for Kilmarnock’s Marley Watkins. Decision should have been red card. (Aberdeen v Kilmarnock, 6 Dec)
- VAR should not have recommended an on-field review for a penalty after a foul on Rangers’ Abdallah Sima. On-field decision of no penalty should have stood. (Rangers v Dundee, 9 Dec)
- VAR should not have recommended an on-field review after Rangers’ Jose Cifuentes was awarded a yellow card. On-field decision of yellow card should have stood. (Rangers v Dundee, 9 Dec)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field review for a potential red card for Hearts’ Beni Baningime. Decision should have been red card. (Aberdeen v Hearts, 9 Dec)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field penalty review for a handball offence by Celtic’s Alastair Johnston. Panel noted an offside in the build-up so decision should have remained to not award penalty. (Celtic v Rangers, 30 Dec)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field review for a penalty for a foul on Hearts’ Alan Forrest. Decision should have been to award a penalty. (Hearts v Ross County, 30 Dec)
- VAR should not have recommended an on-field review for a penalty for a handball offence against Rangers’ John Souttar. On-field decision to not award a penalty should have stood. (Rangers v Kilmarnock, 2 Jan)
- VAR should not have recommended an on-field review for a potential foul in the build-up to Graham Carey’s goal for St Johnstone. On-field decision to award a goal should have stood. (St Johnstone v Aberdeen, 24 Jan)
- VAR should have recommended an on-field review for a potential foul in the build-up to Zach Robinson’s goal for Dundee. Decision should have been to disallow goal. (Livingston v Dundee, 27 Jan
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