Former SFA referee Des Roache believes that the introduction of VAR could potentially go against Celtic and Rangers and has criticised the SPFL for the timing of it’s introduction.
After an opening day of controversy in the Scottish Premiership, many clubs in the top-flight will welcome the addition of VAR, which is set to come into effect after the World Cup in December.. However, Roache insists that it could potentially hinder both of the Old Firm pair once it’s up and running.
He said on the on the Get Involved Referee Podcast: "I think the fact that Celtic and Rangers are predominantly attacking more, are in the opposition penalty area more, they potentially might not get as many decisions as they would before because we didn’t have that minute detail to go and inspect. But at the end of the day the better teams win because they’ve got better players and they’re scoring more goals, not because referees give them more or less decisions. Will they be hindered by it? Quite possibly."
However, Roache has blasted the fact that the SPFL are only introducing VAR midway through the campaign, saying: "It's ridiculous. You tell me that the SPFL have sponsors in line, they’ve got teams that are going to be there, they know they need 12 grounds equipped and they have not got enough time between the first of January to the end of July, start of August, to have these grounds and this equipment?
“We’ve seen them in Hampden in their Star Trek booth, doing their stuff. Why is it not ready? We’re stalling on it and to me it’s ridiculous."
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