Rangers Aim to Use World Cup Revenue to Boost VAR and Officiating
Rangers are optimistic that the financial gains Scotland will receive from the World Cup can be allocated to enhance video assistant referee (VAR) technology and overall officiating standards within Scottish domestic football.
Officiating decisions were once again a focal point during the final week of the Scottish Premiership season. Hearts expressed frustration after feeling they were unjustly denied a penalty in their match against Motherwell. This was followed three days later by Celtic, the eventual champions and title rivals, being awarded a late penalty against the same team.
Rangers chief executive Jim Gillespie has disclosed that, given the club's "long history of being the leading club," they are scheduled to meet with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on Friday to discuss "how we can improve Scottish football."
Gillespie informed the Press Association that Rangers will contribute their "fair share" towards any increased costs associated with VAR technology. This comes after a prior meeting with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), which was also attended by the SFA.
Calls for Strategic Alignment and Enhanced Resources
"We all agreed that we need to be more aligned on strategy and improving the standards," Gillespie said.
"We can all shout about a decision, but what changes? Do we just apologise on the Monday? Do we accept that apology?
"What has to change? Do we need to increase digital performance, or have full-time referees?
"Ultimately, we are going to the World Cup and the Scottish FA is making some money. How do we get some of that to get things improved?
"Can we as clubs support improved resources, whether that is financial or in other ways, like cameras in stadia?"
Gillespie emphasized that enhancing the reputation of Scottish football is essential, stating it is vital to make improvements.
"But I don't think at this stage we should be saying VAR is no good," he said.
"VAR is there to improve and you do see other leagues where it does make a positive impact, or more of a positive impact, and I think that is the strategy at the moment.
"At that meeting, there was a definite alignment to look at a strategy, talk about it and take it forward."
Rangers’ Commitment to Leading Scottish Football Forward
Gillespie expressed that Rangers feel a responsibility to advocate for these enhancements.
"We have a great belief at Rangers that we are the leading club and we want to be the leading club," he added. "We want Scottish football to be the best it can be.
"Our request is that, at the moment, regulators and governing bodies start leading alongside us.
"That will improve all standards and particularly refereeing, the hot topic at the moment.
"Our view is that there are lots of concerns and how do we get involved to improve it and make it stronger and increase resources?
"That includes leadership from the governing bodies but also from the other clubs around us."
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