VAR fall-out: Ref chief quits

At the conclusion of the current season, CRAWFORD ALLAN will resign from his position as the SFA’s chief referee.

According to a story in the Scottish Sun, the former grade one match official’s departure may be officially announced today.

The 56-year-old top referee’s decision to step down seems to have been made amicably, and it comes at a time when the nation’s VAR officials and whistleblowers are facing criticism following a string of scandals this season.

January 2020 saw Allan assume the position, and in October 2022 he oversaw the introduction of new technologies to the Scottish game.

There was a lot of clamour about VAR disruptions from the beginning, and Celtic’s 4-3 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle was the first game with officials in front of multiple screens.
The champions were denied a stonewall spot-kick after Michel Smith clearly handled a cross from James Forrest, but the hosts were granted two penalties with Nick Welsh in charge on the pitch and Steven McLean in the stands.
Paradoxically, earlier this month at the same location, there was another VAR storm in which the visitors were awarded a penalty kick and Yang Hyun-jun was red-carded under controversial circumstances.

With John Beaton in command, Brendan Rodgers commented on the inefficiency of VAR. He will address the SFA at Hampden a week on Thursday in response to a complaint.

Following their 2-1 loss at Parkhead in late December, Philippe Clement and his Ibrox bosses took aim at the referees. Since then, a number of irate managers have voiced their opinions, with Motherwell’s Stuart Kettlewell becoming the latest top-flight manager to criticise VAR after his team’s goal was inexplicably disallowed in their 1-0 loss to Aberdeen on Saturday.
While the SFA investigates possibilities for the position, Allan has consented to stay on to ensure continuity for the final stretch of the season.
An independent panel’s mid-season assessment, which took place last month, uncovered SIXTEEN VAR errors made in the first two rounds of Premiership play.

FOR MORE NEWS CLICK HERE