Mark Wilson calls for VAR audio to be broadcast following controversial Rangers goal v Livingston
Mark Wilson has called for more transparency from VAR suggesting that the audio communication between officials should be broadcast, following Rangers’ win over Livingston.
Michael Beale’s side ran out worthy 4-0 winners in their Viaplay Cup clash on Wednesday (27 September) but controversially took the lead as Abdallah Sima appeared to push Livingston defender Jamie Brandon in the back during the build-up to the goal.
Many, including Livingston manager David Martindale, believed, the goal should not have stood and that has caused former Celtic defender Wilson to once again float the idea of broadcasting the audio between officials in a similar style that is used by the TMO in rugby matches.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard on Thursday (28 September) he said: “It’s concerning that something as obvious as that isn’t picked up with the amount of officials on the field and VAR to review it. For clarity, I love it (the idea of audio from the VAR truck).
“It would allow me to think with a clear head that those officials weren’t fit for their job. But because I don’t know what that conversation consisted of last night I’ve no idea if Willie Collum overruled or it was looked at. If every one of them said it’s not a foul, we’ve got bigger problems in our game and that would clarify that.
“Other decisions I think it would clear things up for the football fan and give maybe a better understanding of the tough job referees have got. Wednesday night’s decision I’d look and think we’ve got a problem.”
Interesting
Whether or not you believe that Sima fouled Brandon in the build-up to Rangers’ opener or not, there is an issue with the standard of officiating currently in the Scottish Premiership, given the number of contentious decisions being made every week.
What is interesting to note however is how many former Celtic players are now calling for more to be done to stop these sort of decisions, compared to when Rangers themselves saw Kemar Roofe’s goal disallowed in the Old Firm derby earlier this season.
If pundits and supporters want more clarity from officials, they have to demand it consistently, rather than complain about the decisions that have been made if and when it suits them. Arguably, if Sima’s goal stands, Roofe’s probably should have against Celtic.
Allowing supporters to hear the referee’s audio during games would provide more insight and clarity into what factors go into making the big decisions during matches, but it would likely lead to just as much if not more criticism of officials for how they came to decisions.
In other Rangers news, David Martindale has claimed three or four Gers players couldn’t believe Sima’s goal stood