Ex-FIFA referee suggests Celtic are being ‘massively’ disadvantaged after new VAR rant
Keith Hackett has claimed unnecessary checks by the Video Assistant Referee are affecting the “flow” of games for high-tempo sides like Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested a potential “30-second” time limit on video checks.
Four of the five goals in Celtic’s 4-1 win over St Johnstone on 24 December were checked retrospectively by VAR, while David Turnbull was dismissed by referee Kevin Clancy for a high challenge on goalkeeper Remi Matthews.
Speaking post-match to BBC’s Sportsound, Ange Postecoglou bemoaned the officials for “taking too long” to reach a decision.
He has also previously spoken out about how lengthy VAR checks have stifled his side’s “high-tempo” style of play.
Celtic sit top of the Scottish Premiership by nine points ahead of their meeting with Rangers on 2 January.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “There is no doubt that the involvement of VAR does affect the flow of games massively.
“It has been introduced for one thing and one thing only – to get the right call. That has to be the priority.
“My view is that we should have a 30-second clock. If they can’t get a decision in that time, then the VAR goes away.
“But the real aim for VAR has to be to only come in for clear and obvious errors.
“At the moment, there is almost a secondary refereeing happening in the background.”
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