SPFL votes to introduce VAR into Scottish Premiership

The SPFL has almost unanimously voted to introduce VAR into the Scottish Premiership.

All teams had their say at today's meeting at Hampden, with the technology set to be introduced when the Premiership resumes after the Qatar 2022 World Cup in December of this year.

The vote required a 75% overall approval rating and had to be backed by nine top tier clubs, eight from the Championship, and 15 from Leagues One and Two combined.

Approval has now been given by an overwhelming majority.

Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPFL, said: “I’m very pleased that we received the necessary 75% votes in the cinch Premiership, the cinch Championship, and cinch Leagues 1 and 2, which enable us to forge ahead with VAR technology next season.”

Total costs for the introduction of VAR in the cinch Premiership are anticipated to be around £1.2m per season, following an independent financial review of the costs and a benchmarking exercise carried out by the European Leagues.

The General Meeting also approved a resolution that payment for the cost of introducing and running the VAR system would be met by cinch Premiership clubs in the same proportions as the current formula which makes fee payments in line with end-of-season league positions.

This means that the cinch Premiership winners will pay approximately £195k per season, with a sliding scale to the 12th club, which will pay around £67k.

Crawford Allan, the SFA’s head of refereeing operations, has been keen to have the technology introduced and has insisted that the VAR systems delivered across Scotland will not be a cut-price version.

The SPFL will use the Hawkeye Innovations System, which is already in use at many leagues worldwide, including the English Premier League.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive, said: “Throughout the consultation process we were encouraged that the principle of VAR was supported by clubs, players, coaches and match officials.

“The benefits of VAR are clear and with the commitment of the Scottish FA, SPFL and now the approval of the league’s 42 member clubs, we can now look forward to continuing the implementation process with a view to VAR being a key part of Scottish football’s future.”

The SPFL also plans to use VAR in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals and finals in January and February 2023, with further discussions planned regarding its use during earlier rounds in future seasons.

Almost every manager in the Premiership has previously spoken about the need for the technology.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has made his wish for VAR to be introduced in Scotland clear, having previously said: "Yes, I’m for VAR.

"You can have situations in games where it is very difficult for the ref to see and to make decisions, so VAR is there to help the ref which is very important.

"I’m from Holland, I think VAR came from there and it’s fair to have the VAR for both sides really so I’m for VAR next season".

While Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou thinks it could help to cut down on bad challenges: “Most countries have VAR now and those kind of things don’t escape punishment anymore.

“That’s the right way to go about it. If you have VAR, what you see is less and less of them. Here in Scotland we obviously don’t have VAR.”

VAR was used for the first time in a domestic match in Scotland last month, during a youth clash between Hearts and Hamilton at the Oriam.

Speaking ahead of it, Jambos manager Robbie Neilson said: "I'd love it to happen.

"I think we need to do it to step forward".

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has also spoken out in favour of VAR, while in charge at St Mirren: "We’re one of the few countries in the top leagues out there that haven’t got it.

“Hopefully we can find the funding necessary to make it happen. I think it would be a great thing to introduce into our game".

• superscoreboard