Former referee Dermot Gallagher has urged the SFA to release the VAR audio from Saturday's Celtic vs Rangers showdown, suggesting that the association should follow England's monthly programme 'Refs Mic’d Up'.
It comes as Rangers have requested the VAR transcript for a handball penalty decision involving Celtic defender Alistair Johnston.
Canadian international Johnston appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area in the first half of the Premiership clash at Parkhead while under pressure from Rangers’ Abdallah Sima.
Referee Nick Walsh pointed for a goal kick and the decision was confirmed by VAR official Willie Collum following a check. However, it later emerged through Sky Sports – broadcasting the match live – that there had been an offside in the build-up.
After the game, a Rangers spokesperson confirmed the club would make a request to listen to the audio to help the club understand why no penalty was given and no VAR audio has still not been made available.
Asked if Gers' request should be granted former referee Gallagher responded: "I don’t know the protocol.
"I think it’s interesting that Howard Webb has adopted a different stance in the Premier League which I think is great.
"They have the monthly programme 'Refs Mic’d Up' which Howard presents – it shows the incidents, how they arrived at that decision, you listen to the audio – it’s quite fascinating when you hear so many people and their input.
"Whether they do that in Scotland I don’t know but it’s been a revelation in England the last few months.
"People have said how interesting it is to hear how referees communicate and arrive at decisions."
A Rangers spokesperson said: “Despite repeated Rangers FC requests, the Scottish FA have so far failed to disclose the VAR audio to allow the club to understand the process around the non-award of a penalty in the first half of yesterday’s Old Firm match.
“Rangers officials stand ready to meet in-person or virtually with the Scottish FA at any time to hear and discuss the audio. However, the Scottish FA are refusing to both share the VAR audio and meet until at least Wednesday, five days after the Old Firm match and after the next round of Scottish Premiership fixtures. This is clearly unacceptable and heightens Rangers’ concerns over the lack of transparency, for which the need is urgent.
“Rangers have learned no penalty was awarded as the VAR official, Willie Collum, concluded a handball offence had not occurred in the first half. While the club and most observers are astonished by this ‘professional’ view, we remain perplexed and concerned about the Scottish FA’s motivations for sharing an offside image with broadcasters during the second half, when this was not the original reason why the penalty was not awarded.
“England’s Premier League and other leading European Leagues operate on a ‘nothing to hide’ basis, where open communication and full transparency are available to clubs and the public on contentious VAR calls in a timely manner.
“On a weekend where not only Rangers but also fellow Scottish FA member clubs have major questions over potentially match-changing incidents, our governing body would do well to heed that same mantra.”
The Scottish FA would not comment but it is understood Rangers chief executive officer James Bisgrove spoke with Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell on Sunday.
