Fans inside Celtic Park tomorrow will be shown still images and video clips to explain VAR decisions.
Rather than leaving paying punters in the dark supporters inside stadiums will get the same information as those watching at home.
VAR was introduced last October with Celtic the first victims of the Plan B system with a clear penalty denied at Tynecastle when Michael Smith raised his hand to deflect a James Forrest pass.
Eagle-eyed Steven McLean was quick to prompt Nick Walsh to the touchline monitor to review two incidents that resulted in penalties against Celtic.
Soon afterwards Ross County and Dundee United were awarded debatable penalties at Celtic Park that left fans confused and angry.
Finally in match 15 of the season Celtic were awarded a penalty, a strange statistic for the league leaders and top scorers.
Last season the SFA used a network of messengers to explain weekly changes in the handball rule as Connor Goldson avoided justice in every second match.
After getting away with it last season as ‘teething issues’ there appears to be an admission from the SFA that they might not get away with the same level of honest mistakes with Internet Bampots reviewing every decision on social media.
Explaining the changes for the new season, Stephen McGowan writes in the Daily Mail: “From this season, VAR will start making the transition from simply trying to get the decisions right to offering an explanation to confused punters over why they are right.
“Video Information Officers will be in place to improve communications in grounds. Still frames of offside decisions will be shown on big screens in grounds (where the technology allows).
“In time, broadcasting rights holders will link up with the control room at Clydesdale House to provide real time guidance on how decisions were reached.
“Plans have been piloted to send commentators and journalists WhatsApp bullet points offering an insight into the referee’s application of the rules.
“To stop furious managers marching into a post-match press conference and tearing a strip off the man in the middle, meanwhile, in-match audio clips could be sent to clubs.
“Down the line, a VAR show could be developed on YouTube to break down individual incidents and provide some rationale.”
Until full explanations for decision making, including audio of VAR discussions, is published within an hour of the final whistle there will always be suspicions of cover ups.
After letting slip some broadcasting secrets on Go Radio last season Andy Walker has been dropped from Sky Sports coverage of the SPFL.
1 Comment
by Captain Swing
*only after we have rolled up our trouser legs and been initiated into the Royal Arch….