Willie Collum has become the first top-level Scottish referee to speak out in favour of the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee.
VAR is not yet used in Scotland with cost said to be the main reason. In January, SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said talks were underway with rule makers IFAB about bringing in the technology.
Collum is one of only two refs trained to use the system. He wants to see change.
“I think it would be easier for players to accept decisions,” he told the BBC.
“What we’re talking about is the controversy where everybody looking at a replay can see it’s an error.
“It’s a genuine error made by the referee, in perhaps a very difficult situation – that’s then gone and we would hope it would end the scandal, so to speak.”
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Would VAR work in Scottish football?
It’s easy to see the benefits of VAR coming into our national game. Scottish football seems to have more flashpoints than any other league. Technology would give definitive answers on situations that are difficult to officiate.
All three Glasgow derbies this season have seen Rangers men get away with red card offences. Allan McGregor’s kick-out at Kristoffer Ajer in September, Alfredo Morelos’ numerous incidents in the New Year game and Ryan Kent’s recent forearm smash on Scott Brown were all missed by the official on the day.
VAR would clear up these issues and make sure justice is served.
This season’s Champions League has shown that the system doesn’t lessen talking points as first feared. Nor does it take drama away from the game.
Referees have had a tough year in Scotland. If the technology can help them out then that’s a good enough reason for its introduction.