Celtic and Rangers have both been on the receiving end
Sir Kenny Dalglish believes Scottish football would benefit from the introduction of VAR, and has lamented the fact that the technology is too expensive for our game.
The Celtic and Liverpool great has watched in recent weeks as his former side’s striker Albian Ajeti and Rangers stars Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe have received retrospective punishment from the SFA for incidents that were not deemed worthy of red cards during games.
Dalglish, who scored 167 goals in 322 games for Celtic, says retrospective action is “the next best thing” and has called on Scottish football not to undermine the efforts of referees.
Writing in his Sunday Post column, Dalglish said: “In an ideal world, Scottish football would be able to afford VAR.
“But the Scottish FA and the SPFL do not have the financial riches to put the system in place.
“It’s unfortunate but, in the current financial climate, not something they can be criticised for.
“If the money isn’t there, then it isn’t there. Simple as.
“Not being able to review incidents during the match and get the call correct on the spot means that, unlike the top flight in England, footage from debatable incidents in Premiership matches is being reviewed a day or two after a game has finished.
“It’s all well and good looking at things after the final whistle has blown – but that’s of little comfort to the likes of Kilmarnock or St Johnstone.
“They’d have preferred immediate action on the field of play.
“In general terms, and not specific to one case, I’m all for action being taken after the event if it’s appropriate. It’s the next best thing to VAR.
“Sometimes VAR gets criticised in the English game because it might take two or three minutes to reach the right decision. But that’s got to be better than taking three or four days, surely?
“What we do need to be careful of in Scotland is that we are not undermining the referees every week, and demoralising them. However, if a player has stepped out of line in any shape or form, then he deserves to be punished.
“Some people have argued that the game should be officiated for 90 minutes, and once the whistle has gone then that’s it over.
“There should be no looking back at incidents for possible retrospective action.
“But if a player knows there is the possibility of action being taken against him the following day, or on the Monday morning, then that will hopefully act as a deterrent.
“Yes, you will still get players trying it on in different shapes and forms, but they will have it in the back of their minds that they might get caught and face a ban.
“VAR is by no means perfect. A few tweaks here and there are definitely required.
“But it is helpful to reach the right decision in the quickest possible time.
“I don’t envisage it being in Scottish football in the near future, and that is a pity.
“But what is in the Scottish game just now is the next best thing.”
The gap between Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Premiership was reduced to 21 points at the weekend, with Neil Lennon’s men beating Motherwell 2-1 on Saturday before Steven Gerrard’s side were held to a 1-1 draw against Hamilton the following day.
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