Scottish football is set to hold a VAR summit next week in a bid to force changes to the controversial handball rule.
Record Sport understands the powerful Professional Game Board has contacted all top flight clubs for their suggestions ahead of the crunch meeting - and plans to take the feedback straight to the law makers at IFAB. We can also reveal SFA chiefs are planning an end of season VAR review with all Premiership clubs in a bid to clear up the confusion which is blighting the game.
Record Sport understands chief executive Ian Maxwell will convene sit down talks with the top 12 as part of a summer review of the roll out of the technology midway through the current campaign. But, after a spate of recent penalty controversies, the PGB hope to take the bull by the horns by drafting their own solutions and sending them to the decision makers in Zurich.
Maxwell has already held one sit down with the Premiership clubs to get their feedback after the first five weeks of Clydesdale House going live. And he will continue to liaise with clubs on an ongoing basis amidst a storm of early flash points.
An in depth study of the impact VAR has had on the Scottish game - and the issues which have arisen - will then begin at the end of the season with the aim of ironing out its faults and quirks ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Maxwell is aware of growing frustration among clubs with regards to the implementation of the hand-ball rule in particular.
Hampden top brass are also exploring ways of improving the communication with supporters who have been left baffled by the decision making process. But much of the onus for that will fall on individual clubs improving their own in stadium experience and facilities.
Celtic believe they should have been awarded a penalty at Ibrox in the New Year derby after Rangers defender Connor Goldson handled a Carl Starfelt shot at point blank range. And Goldson was at the centre of a subsequent debate after the ball struck his arm during his side’s 2-0 win against Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.
Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglou has demanded greater consistency from Scotland’s officials and St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson called for the hand-ball rules to be rewritten after a recent defeat at home to Hearts. But Scotland’s top bosses will have to wait until after the last kick of the ball in May before airing their grievances at Hampden.
A source said: “Everyone is aware of the issues which have flared up over the first couple of months of VAR but Scottish football is not unique in this regard. All countries using the technology have been experiencing similar problems and the end of the season will be the time for a full review..
“But the PGB have put this at the top of the agenda for next week’s meeting to look at any changes which clubs already want to be put forward to IFAB as quickly as possible.”
READ NEXT:
