Celtic will be watching closely as SFA announce refereeing shake-up

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Crawford Allan is leaving his role as head of refereeing at the Scottish FA at the end of the season, as Celtic and the rest of Scottish football await what is next.

The Bhoys and many other clubs have raised issues about the standard of officiating in Scotland this season with the use of VAR also coming under sharp focus.

The governing body have now shared they will review the Head of Refereeing role after Allan’s departure, as well as the ‘operational priorities’ of the department as a whole.

SFA announce refereeing department shake-up

A statement said: “The Scottish FA can confirm that Crawford Allan will leave his position as Head of Referee Operations at the end of this season.

“Crawford’s departure to pursue new opportunities will effect a review of the existing role and remit to reflect the demands placed on it by the introduction and optimisation of VAR.

“This will coincide with a planned review of the operational priorities of the department based on the insights to date from VAR implementation, as well as feedback from Category One Match Officials and VAR operators, the Scottish FA’s Professional Game Board, the SPFL’s Competitions Working Group and the Independent Review Panel.

“The recruitment process will begin immediately to ensure an experienced replacement will be in place for the new season.”

SFA hit out at “blame culture”

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell continued: “Whilst there is a recognition that, globally, the VAR processes need to improve, this is a challenge for all key stakeholders within Scottish football to work through in the context of our own domestic competition. This includes all key external stakeholders having a better understanding of the Laws of the Game, the lines of intervention for VAR, and the adopted guidance within Scottish football, especially in subjective areas such as the handball law.

“We must work together to alleviate the unsustainable pressure on match officials and VAR operators, to remove the convenient blame culture attached to subjective or unpopular decisions, and to ensure more focus is placed on the entertainers rather than the on-field facilitators.

“We will continue conversations and improvements with all stakeholders with this as a non-negotiable and unifying premise as we seek to improve the experience for all.”

For me, the Scottish FA could do lots more to aid the referees they feel are under so much pressure. More transparency and communication is key – which will hopefully be a byproduct of this review.

VAR as a technology can be successful if the utilisation becomes sharper, more consistent and is better explained to players, coaches and fans.

Given their track record, plenty of Celtic supporters won’t have much faith too much will change at the SFA, but it’s an interesting development to keep an eye on at least, especially after recent dramas.