WHISTLE BLOWERS
Premiership club call for major VAR revamp and ‘want SFA removed from running it’
No club has received more Willie Collum apologies this season
ST MIRREN are said to be leading the fightback against VAR by calling for it to be run by an independent organisation – and not the SFA.
The Buddies put out a statement earlier today expressing their frustration at yet ANOTHER wrong decision going against them this weekend.
2
2
The Paisley club believe they should have had a penalty when Elvis Bwomono appeared to be tripped in the box during yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone.
SFA refs chief Willie Collum has already admitted that Saints have had FIVE decisions go against them this term – the most of any Premiership club.
It’s the second season in a row that Stephen Robinson’s side have topped this particular table and the brassed-off Buddies hierarchy have reportedly had enough.
Saints chiefs are said to be demanding immediate talks with the governing body in a search for solutions to this recurring problem.
Read More Football
But they also believe it ought to go further by REMOVING the SFA from the administration and execution of video replay technology entirely.
And they want an independent body to oversee the whole process instead.
A Saints insider, quoted in the Daily Record, said: “Yes, we are seeking an urgent meeting with the SFA.
“We want all relevant information shared in decisions, along with an acknowledgment of impact. All reasons behind VAR decisions should be shared.
Most read in Football
“The selection of VAR teams needs to be reviewed and developed. We would like to see training on VAR policies with a whistleblowing policy created for authenticity/integrity.
“We also feel VAR should be run independently and have its own code of conduct and regulations away from the SFA and referees.
'I wouldn't want to be the VAR' gasps Mike Dean as Aston Villa goal overturned in controversial circumstances
“We need to get this right because it is costing clubs financially to implement VAR and it shouldn’t be costing us on the pitch.”
The club statement released earlier in the day read: “St Mirren FC is disappointed with the decision not to award a penalty in the first-half of yesterday’s match against St Johnstone following a foul on Elvis Bwomono.
“A VAR review cleared this decision without requiring the referee to look at the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
“The club has spoken to the Scottish Football Association’s Referee Department today seeking clarity on this and other decisions in yesterday’s match.
“Clearly, we are all humans and mistakes will happen. However, there has now been an accumulation of errors made against St Mirren.
“This is hugely disappointing for the club and our supporters, and we will continue to engage with the Scottish FA to improve standards of officiating.’
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page