CRAWFORD ALLAN is to quit his post as the SFA’s head of refereeing and step down at the end of the season.
The announcement on the departure of the former grade one match official could be made official today, as reported in the Scottish Sun.
The decision for the 56-year-old refs’ chief to quit appears to be by mutual consent and comes at a time with the country’s whistlers and VAR officials under fire after a series of controversies throughout the season.
WELCOME TO VAR, ANGE…the former boss shows his feelings after another mystifying decision on the day new tchnology was introduced to Celtic in an incident-strewn 4-3 win at Tynecastle in October 2022.
Allan took over the role in January 2020 and was at the helm when new technology was introduced to the Scottish game in October 2022.
Right from the start, there was uproar about VAR interruptions and Celtic’s first game with officials in front of multi-screens was concerning in their 4-3 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.
With Nick Welsh in chareg on the pitch and Steven McLean in the studios, the hosts were awarded two penalties while the champions were denied a stonewall spot-kick after Michel Smith clealrly handled a cross from James Forrest.
Ironically, there was another VAR storm at the same venue earlier this month when the visitors had Yang Hyun-jun red-carded and a penalty-kick awarded against them, both in contentious circumstances.
TYNECASTLE OCTOBER 2022…Matt O’Riley and his Celtic team-mates protest as referee Nick Walsh awards the first of two VAR-assisted penalty-kicks to Hearts.
TYNECASTLE MARCH 2024…a stunned Yang Hyun-jun is red-carded by referee Don Robertson after a VAR intervention.
Brendan Rodgers made a comment of incompetence from VAR, with John Beaton in charge, and will face the SFA at Hampden a week on Thursday to answer a complaint.
Philippe Clement and his Ibrox bosses hit out at the officials after their 2-1 loss at Parkhead in late December and there has been a weekly sequence of frustrated managers making their feelings know,
Motherwell’s Stuart Kettlewell became the latest top-flight boss to slate VAR when he said he was “sick” and “fed up” with new technology after his side had a goal mysteriously disallowed in their 1-0 loss to Aberdeen at the weekend.
Allan has agreed to remain in place to provide continuity for the season run-in while the SFA explore options in the role.
A mid-season review conducted last month by an independent panel revealed SIXTEEN VAR errors during the first two rounds of Premiership fixtures.
