Ross County manager Malky Mackay gives his backing to VAR being introduced in Scotland
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Ross County manager Malky Mackay would welcome the introduction of video assistant referees into Scottish football.
A vote on whether to implement the technology is expected to take place early next year, but it is believed clubs will back the proposals.
If passed, VAR could come into play in the Premiership after next winter’s World Cup finals in Qatar, with top flight clubs also set to cover the estimated £60,000 of annual costs for League One and League Two clubs.
Multiple incidents in matches at the end of last month, affecting Aberdeen, Hearts and Motherwell, have brought video referees back into the spotlight, and Mackay would also back extra help for officials.
“It was something we discussed when I was at the Scottish FA,” he explained.
“At the time, finances were a huge problem. I’m not sure if it is VAR light they are now talking about, but I am a fan.
“I don’t think anybody now questions the goal-line technology – it is fantastic.
“I know VAR was sticky and I know from being involved with UEFA as well, there have been various iterations to make it better and better.
“Generally, it cuts out a lot of errors and as long as it stays fairly fluid, as long as the game doesn’t stop for too long and it means correct decisions are being made.
“We’ve seen various sending offs overturned that would have spoiled a game, penalties that were actually a dive. I know there are still issues but I’m in favour overall.
“I think anything that can benefit the game by encouraging correct decisions is for the good.
VAR’s introduction south of the border in England was met with controversy and fan backlash, but Mackay is confident the kinks have now been worked out.
“It was always going to take a couple of years and from the time they rolled it out to now it is massively different,” Mackay reasoned.
“Listen, referees are human and the people sitting in front of screens are human, but how it is used has got better.
“The referee can go to the monitor at the side of the pitch, rather than just being told from the van that there’s a change in decision. The referee making that decision on the pitch makes a big difference.
“You’ve still got the man in the middle in charge. There will still be mistakes but, over the piece, if it is bringing errors down by 80 or 90 per cent then that’s better than before.
“There will always be issues but it takes them right down now.
“That can only be good for the game.”
