The Scottish FA’s new Head of Referees Willie Collum has given his first interview ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season, setting out the changes he wants to see in officiating.
Celtic and many other clubs in the top flight have been deeply frustrated with the muddied use of VAR technology and decision-making in general over the last two campaigns.
The SFA confirmed their refereeing department was due for a revamp earlier in the year with former head Crawford Allan stepping down to be replaced by Collum.
In his first interview, the former referee laid out some of the tweaks we will see from the men in the middle over the coming 2024/25 season.
Collum wants a “football expectation” approach to handball
One of the most controversial subplots of VAR’s introduction in Scotland has been the interpretation of handball laws and Collum wants a change of approach in how decisions are made moving forward – which reads to me as potentially more use of common sense.
He said [SFA]: “We want to move towards a ‘football understanding’ of handball but I keep reminding everyone that we need to keep a balance with the Laws of the Game and the directives we get. We would like to approach it, a bit more, from a football expectation perspective.
“I feel like we’ve reached a consensus that will move things forward, in the right direction, around handball, VAR intervention and so on. Club visits will have a particular focus on law changes and handball interpretation.”
In terms of VAR as a whole, Collum wants better consistency, continuing: “We want to improve our decision-making. We realise there’s room for improvement. We want to be clearer and consistent in terms of guidelines and where we are with VAR. It’s also really important that we look at all levels of the game. There’s the wider strategy and where we want to head next. That’s a much bigger thing for me to look at.”
Collum is also hoping for a higher bar when it comes to VAR intervening in decisions made by referees on the pitch, explaining: “It’s right to mention the higher line of intervention. We’ve had a particular focus around handball and that, for example, is something we want to set a higher bar for in terms of intervention. I feel like we’re on the same page with that.”
Captains to be main point of contact with referees
Following on from similar scenes at Euro 2024, team captains will now be tasked with asking questions of and communicating with the referee rather than a free-for-all approach.
Collum went on: “We’re definitely exploring the captain approach. Some trials have been proposed by IFAB. In the meantime, it’s a positive, for me, that the SPFL have agreed to adopt that approach from the opening day of the league season, across all the leagues and competitions within the SPFL.
“That will work well. Some people will be nervous and think we’re going to see a flurry of yellow cards but I think it’ll improve relationships between the referee and the players. It worked really well at UEFA EURO 2024 and I think it’ll work well for us here.”
Ultimately the proof of progressive change will be seen on the pitch rather than be revealed in interviews. Collum has to back up his words and set a new culture within the Hampden group to better serve Scottish football as a whole.
The fact he has acknowledged improvements can be made is a bit of a change in messaging from the SFA, so that’s a least welcomed. He has a tough task ahead of him but standards must improve.
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