Former Celtic midfielder and Scottish Football pundit Kris Commons has called for changes to be made to the handball rule and the workings of VAR.
Scottish Football fans have been familiar with refereeing decisions being the talking point of the game for many years now.
However, the recent introduction of VAR seems to have taken things to a new level, with issues still arising despite the new technology.
Since it first arrived in the Scottish Premiership at the end of October, the Hoops have been on the end of a number of questionable decisions.
And not only Celtic but the entire top-flight, with red card calls, handball decisions and offsides all coming under scrutiny after what has felt like a disastrous few weeks for officials.
Writing in his weekly column for the Daily Mail, former Celtic man Kris Commons provided his view on the recent controversy surrounding referees.
The pundit called for the problem to be fixed on a number of levels, including changes to the handball rule and ex-professionals getting involved in the VAR room.
The Scotland international also cited the example of Formula 1, suggesting that some handball decisions should simply be put down to ‘football incidents’ similar to motorsports ‘racing incident’ strategy of officiating the sport.
He said [Mailsport]: “Robbie Neilson called it a shambles. David Martindale admitted he doesn’t know how the game is being refereed anymore. Ange Postecoglou took a vow of silence after previously making his feelings clear.
“Another weekend of Scottish football brought more VAR mayhem. Leading managers are hugely frustrated about how the system is operating after its introduction. I can understand why.
“We do have to make some allowances for it being new here. But there are a few big things that need to be sorted out. And not all of them are directly under the control of Scottish officials sitting in front of the screens.
“The time being taken to make decisions certainly is, and it’s way too long. VAR also seems like it’s being called into action too often in some games.
“At Tynecastle, people were left questioning who was actually in charge of the match. Referee Craig Napier? Or VAR? That shouldn’t be the case.
“The constant interruptions are driving people mad. But the application of the handball rule is another thing entirely. Unless that is actually looked at again and changed back to something more reliant on common sense, then a big part of the VAR problem isn’t going to change.
“Were Scottish refs really missing a glut of justifiable handball penalties before the system was introduced? I’m not sure they were, but now you can barely go a round of matches without one being awarded.
“On the previous weekend, Celtic were punished for the ball hitting Alexandro Bernabei on his trailing arm. Then we had three VAR handball penalties in Livingston’s midweek win over Aberdeen. And another one on Saturday when Matt O’Riley was penalised to give Ross County the lead at Parkhead.
“David Munro took that decision, and it was upheld by VAR. But O’Riley was bang-on when he said he didn’t know what else he could have done with his body or the position of his arm.
“It generates frustration among players. And causes a constant debate about whether it’s the right call or not. I feel the insight of an experienced ex-professional could have value as part of the whole VAR process.
“Referees now are going by the absolute letter of the law rather than common sense. The more they look at replays, the more doubt is put in their minds.
“They’re not actually making a football decision if you follow. It’s almost like they are drawing a picture and deciding if one box can be ticked within the rulebook to justify a penalty.
“If you have an ex-professional there, they would say: ‘Look, his arm is by his side. It’s not deviated from a natural path or stopped a goalscoring opportunity. It’s just one of those unfortunate errors.’
“We need to get back to that way of thinking. In Formula One, some things get referred to the stewards and are just put down as a ‘racing incident’. Well, some of these recent decisions can just be put down as ‘football incidents’. There’s nothing there that really merits punishment.”
Fans may not all agree with Commons’ arguments, but they are united on one point in Scottish Football.
Although not every Scottish Football supporter is bound to agree with Commons’ arguments and suggestions, there is certainly one point we are all bound to agree on.
The officiating and use of VAR in this country must improve.
It isn’t really a point that should have to be made, but after a poor first few weeks with the technology, it is a must at this stage.
The SFA and officials have around a month to sort out these issues, with domestic top-flight action currently on hold due to the Qatar World Cup.
At first, supporters were told to anticipate ‘teething problems’. But it has already gone further than that, and solutions must be found.
Understandably, fans from all clubs across the country won’t be holding their breath, but something must be done to stop these issues from taking place.
In other news, On-loan Celtic man left ‘delighted’ after first goal and MOTM display.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
