SCOTTISH football chiefs are poised to hold an emergency VAR summit within days in a bid to force changes to the controversial handball rule.
The Professional Game Board has contacted all Premiership clubs for their suggestions ahead of the crunch meeting early next week – and plans to take the comments and remarks straight to the law makers at IFAB, insists a report in the Daily Record.
It is also believed the SFA hierarchy are planning an overall technology review with all top-flight clubs in a bid to clear up the confusion which has created chaos since it was introduced on October 21 last year.
Chief executive Ian Maxwell is expected to hold talks with the clubs as part of a summer review, but there now appears to be a move to act now with the decision makers in Zurich brought into play in the aftermath of the mayhem sparked by some bizarre and unfathomable decisions.
Celtic, of course, have been hit the hardest with a sequence of inexplicable penalty-kick judgements right from their first game under the scrutiny of the VAR officials.
The champions were denied a stonewall spot-kick by referee Nick Walsh and his assistant Steven McLean when Hearts defender Michael Smith handled a cross from James Forrest in the team’s 4-3 win at Tynecastle on October 22.
It was a match in which the hosts were awarded two penalty-kicks, both scored by Lawrence Shankland.
YOU’VE GOT TO LAUGH…Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou’s reaction to the ‘no penalty-kick’ call against Hearts at Tynecastle in October.
The Parkhead club have also been left baffled by spot-kick award against them following a so-called handball by Alexandro Bernabei which led to a penalty for Dundee United in the Hoops’ 4-2 victory at Parkhead on November 5.
A week later, there was the equally ludicrous award to Ross County when referee David Munro, backed by VAR, awarded a spot-kick when a close-range ricochet brushed Matt O’Riley’s arm which was by his side.
The Highlanders accepted the gift to take the lead early in the second-half, but the Hoops displayed true grit again to battle back and claim the points with a 2-1 victory.
Ange Postecoglou has attempted to remain silent during the furore, but even the champions’ manager was moved to have his say on the flashpoint by Connor Goldson when he raised both hands to palm away an effort from Carl Starfelt in the 2-2 draw eight days ago.
YOU NEED HANDS…Connor Goldson beats away a shot from Carl Starfelt. No penalty, said the referee and his VAR assistant.
The Greek-Australian gaffer insisted unequivocally that it was a penalty-kick, as CQN reported. Amazingly, neither whistler John Beaton nor Willie Collum, sitting in front of multi screens in the Glasgow studio, saw fit to even have a review of the incident on the touchline TV monitor.
Hampden bosses are also exploring ways of improving the communication with supporters who have been left in the dark over the mystifying decision-making process.
However, much of the onus for that will fall on individual clubs improving their own in stadium experience and facilities.
Watch this space!
