A significant majority of Celtic supporters have thrown their weight behind Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn’s suggestion that Scottish football would benefit from abandoning video assistant referee technology.
McGinn’s comments, made following Celtic’s defeat to Hibernian in February when Auston Trusty received a contentious red card, have struck a chord with the Parkhead faithful. A poll conducted by 67 Hail Hail revealed that 77.37% of nearly 1,500 respondents favour scrapping VAR entirely.
The frustration stems from what fans perceive as inconsistent application and questionable decisions that have plagued the system since its introduction. Supporters have expressed particular dissatisfaction with subjective calls and technical limitations, with one fan noting that even factual decisions like offside calls are compromised by insufficient camera angles and erroneous line placement.
The financial burden adds another layer of contention. Celtic bear the largest share of the approximately £1.2 million annual operating cost, contributing roughly £195,000 per season based on their league position. Many supporters argue this substantial investment yields little return given the ongoing controversies.
Fan sentiment remains divided on whether the issue lies with the technology itself or the officials operating it. Some argue that VAR at least exposes questionable decisions to public scrutiny, preventing the “honest mistakes” that historically favoured certain clubs. Others contend that biased officiating renders the system pointless regardless of technological capability.
The debate highlights broader concerns about refereeing standards in Scotland, with McGinn’s intervention amplifying calls for fundamental reform of how matches are officiated at the top level.