You might’ve noticed the SFA trying to change tact with how the referees interact with fans of Rangers, Celtic and the rest of Scottish football.
The application of VAR in the game north of the border has been the subject of continuing criticism and scrutiny whilst referees have been the subject of conspiracies and investigation since time immortal.
But in the modern era, modern problems require modern solutions, and under the leadership of controversial whistler Willie Collum, fans are getting a better insight into decision-making.
Say what you will about Collum and the SFA refereeing team, but between public appearances and VAR review shows on YouTube, it’s a hugely positive thing to see more accountability.
And in the spirit of accountability, following the release of the inaugural televisual VAR performance review, it appears Rangers are due an apology from one rival Premiership manager.
St Johnstone manager was riled by Cyriel Dessers goal
Cast your mind back to the 17th of August when Rangers welcomed St Johnstone to Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup.
Rangers opened the scoring in the match through Cyriel Dessers, who rolled St Johnstone defender Jack Sanders before lashing the ball home.
The incident was controversial because referee Mathew McDermid blew for a foul on Sanders after Dessers had scored.
VAR then helped conclude that the goal should stand.
McDermid allowed play to continue for Dessers to finish, before blowing the whistle upon the ball hitting back of the net.
After the match, St Johnstone manager Craig Levin launched a foul-mouthed tirade at the referee with Dessers’ goal giving Rangers the lead ahead of an eventual 2-0 victory.
Here’s the rant in full, as per Rayo:
“Do you want me to start? What the **** happened there? Anybody know? Anybody help me with it?
“I didn’t speak to the referee, what’s the point? I’ve been there a hundred times and I end up getting fined and then doubling my fine and then doubling it again.
“Some of them (players) said that (he blew the whistle before the goal). I even tried to listen back to it on the footage. I can’t tell.
“I thought it was a foul for us. I thought that Jack had been tripped by Dessers and that’s why Jack was on the ground. And that’s why Dessers still had the ball.
“So I thought there’s no danger here. They’re going to rule this out because Jack’s been fouled.
“Everybody stopped because of one or two things. Either they’ve stopped because they heard the whistle or they’ve seen the referee giving us a free-kick.
“I think the referee’s made a mistake. That’s what I think. And I’d love him to come out afterwards and just say, ‘look I’ve got that one wrong’.
“I’m going to get in trouble if I keep going.
“I was really pleased with the performance today.
“I didn’t even get a chance to speak to the players after the game because I was on inquest for about 20 minutes about what the hell had happened with the first Rangers goal.
“There’s a lot of things about the game today that I actually really like. But just the manner in which we lost was, what’s the word, puzzling probably. Puzzling would be a nice word.”
Referee ‘correct’ to allow VAR Rangers goal review
Now the goal has been the subject of conversation on the VAR Review, a new official SFA YouTube show that will analyse, explain and take accountability for decision-making.
The refreshing monthly segment will even admit when they got it wrong.
Willie Collum was being interview by Gordon Duncan as part of the video and explained that whilst McDermid showed ‘poor body language’, the decision was the correct one.
“Here, the referee probably doesn’t display good body language,” Collum said. “His body language when the challenge is made is edging towards a free-kick.
“But he correctly delays the whistle, he correctly communicates so the VAR is aware of what he intends doing if a goal is scored and, when the ball hits the net, he then blows his whistle for what he deems to be a defensive free-kick.
“VAR checks and realises the Rangers player hasn’t committed a foul and they therefore recommend an on-field review.
“Apart from the body language, the correct process was followed and ultimately the correct decision was reached.”
Does Craig Levein owe Rangers & SFA an apology?
In the spirit of accountability then, Rangers and referee Mathew McDermid are probably due an apology from Craig Levein for his post-match reaction.
At a time when the SFA are actively doing more to increase transparency and engage with supporters, managers ought to shoulder some responsibility to decrease the furore around whistlers in Scotland.
Although when it comes to Levein, who is one of Scottish football’s more colourful characters, we won’t hold our breath.
The controversial ex-Hearts, Dundee United and Scotland manager is facing a fresh SFA charge for comments he made, referencing the Rangers decision, at the end of August.
In an incident again involving Jack Sanders, Levein was furious when the 4th official intervened to suggest the St Johnstone defender was shown a second yellow card in the 2-1 defeat to St Mirren.
After the match, the Saints coach referenced the Cyriel Dessers goal and has since been charged for claiming this second incident would be ‘swept under the carpet’.
“He doesn’t need to get involved – the referee has seen what happened,” Levein said after the match on August 31st, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“Have I spoken to the ref? What’s the point? Seriously, what’s the point. After the Rangers debacle you know what’s going to happen. It’ll be swept under the carpet.”
