Got a cheek’ – Sky Sports pundit rages at ‘Bizarre’ SFA development after Rangers controversy

Referees’ “bizarre” remarks about the SFA in relation to the recent situation surrounding

Rangers and Celtic’s Old Firm match have angered Andy Walker.

Scotland’s representatives met with the governing body at Hampden to talk about a variety of topics,

including the contentious penalty call that cost Rangers a spot-kick in the Old Firm derby in December.

According to reports, during these talks, authorities suggested that VAR audio

may be broadcast in exchange for a salary increase [BBC Sport, 15 January].

This idea has incensed Sky Sports commentator Walker, who feels it would be equivalent to “rewarding failure.”

On January 18, at 18:42, he appeared on The Go Radio Football Show and stated,

“To be honest, I think the referees have got a cheek to ask for a wee bit more money.”

Please give us more money, and we’ll release the audio.

While the extra funding would help referees become full-time and may well increase their skillset,

their performances so far this season in Scotland haven’t been worthy of such a boost.

Hopefully, a solution can be reached sooner rather

than later to improve the standard of officiating north of the border as currently,

it is nowhere near the level required in the Premiership, often to Rangers’ detriment.

Got a cheek’ – Sky Sports pundit rages at ‘Bizarre’ SFA development after Rangers controversy

“By all means, go negotiate with the SFA and grab as much money as you can to

fill your boots if the referees want to get paid more.

However, do not minimize it by offering to supply the audio in exchange for additional money.

“I didn’t get their perspective there. You’re encouraging failure; so many poor choices have been made,

and I just thought referees, or whoever represents them, took a strange stance.

absurd

If VAR audio could be heard by fans both inside and outside the stadium,

it would be a major assistance to the Scottish game.

It would ensure that players and fans alike understand the reasoning behind

important decisions and help keep officials accountable.

But as Walker points out, it would be absurd to pay officials extra to let this happen,

that would be tantamount to encouraging failure.

Referees consistently make poor decisions; increasing their compensation is not the answer.

Although the additional financing would enable referees to work full-time and potentially expand their skill set,

their Scottish season-to-date performance has not warranted such a commendation.

Since officiating north of the border is now far below the standard needed in the Premiership,

sometimes to Rangers’ detriment, maybe a solution can be found sooner rather than later to raise the bar.

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