GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
According to Bobby Madden, it might be time to let the VAR team’s commentary into the referee’s earpiece in Scotland.
Worried According to Bobby Madden, Scottish referees would be in favor of the increased “transparency” of VAR audio releases.
Additionally, the former referee has stated that the information should be made available to gamblers due to the contentious penalty that Rangers was awarded against Livingston last month. The man in the middle, Steven McLean, awarded a penalty when Ross McCausland fell down due to pressure from Livi goalkeeper Shamal George. Many felt that the Ibrox youngster had not made enough contact to warrant his fall in the box.
Many were made to believe that the VAR room team had not examined the situation; nevertheless, former chief referee Madden has maintained that the decision was examined. The creators of the video technology, however, would not have chosen to send McLean to the display. In an interview with The Daily Mail, Madden stated that these are the occasions for which the audio should be made public and that match officials are in favor of it doing so given the growing concerns about technology.
He declared: “The public and the referees both benefit from my presence and opportunity to speak. I can talk from experience, knowing the rules of the game and etiquette.
However, I firmly believe that the SFA ought to seize the chance to express their viewpoints on a weekly basis. Simply said, I’m not sure if it is any closer to happening. Now that VAR and the audio are available, there is a genuine opportunity. The match officials would probably be happy to have it. They have the courage and maturity to own up to their mistakes. I’m not sure if they would want to share audio or not.
“But it’s the only way people will fully grasp how a choice was made for the sake of transparency. And education is a factor. not passing judgment on officials. I am the first to admit that referees are fallible.
“One recent instance is the choice to award Rangers a penalty kick against Livingston. That was certainly simulation for me. Many have expressed shock that it wasn’t verified. However, it would have been examined; they simply chose not to bring it for an on-site evaluation. Here’s where knowledge comes in handy. Listen to the audio and the topics that were covered.
