Scotland’s top clubs to make decision on video referees early next year

Scotland’s top clubs to make decision on VAR early next year after offering to meet annual costs amid more refereeing controversy in Premiership

  • SPFL are set to offer Scotland’s top clubs a vote on the introduction of VAR 
  • Top flight clubs will cover the costs of League One and League Two sides 
  • A formal resolution is likely to be put before clubs early in the New Year 


The SPFL are set to offer Scotland’s top clubs a vote on the introduction of VAR before the end of February.

Meetings next month will offer assurance to clubs in League One and League Two that the estimated annual costs of £60,000 each per annum will be wholly met by top flight clubs.

And with the biggest clubs strongly in favour of adopting the system, a formal resolution is likely to be put before clubs early in the New Year — with video technology now on course to be installed in the Scottish Premiership after next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar.

Scottish Premiership clubs are keen to follow the English Premiership by helping officials

The move comes after refereeing controversy marred another night of drama in the top flight on Wednesday.

Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass criticised the award of a late penalty for Rangers in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox.

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander, meanwhile, was booked for protesting against referee Bobby Madden’s decision to let St Mirren’s Eamonn Brophy retake a penalty saved by keeper Liam Kelly.

Last week Hearts boss Robbie Neilson also accused referees of adopting ‘the old Glasgow long blink’ after Don Robertson booked Juninho Bacuna of Rangers and Hearts defender Stephen Kingsley despite the former appearing to grab the latter by the throat.

Both the SFA and the Scottish Senior Referees’ Association are in favour of lending officials a helping hand, with the governing body prepared to underwrite the training costs for match officials.

And, following a presentation to Premiership chairmen from former World Cup referee Howard Webb last month, Premiership clubs are now ‘broadly supportive’ of the move and are expected to say yes when the matter goes to the vote in February.

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