ANDY WALKER on Wednesday claimed that he had heard some damming comments from the VAR operating room, instructing referees to take the ‘easy way out’.
The SFA refuted these comments and threatened to ban Sky Sports from listening to the audio instead of investigating Walker’s claims.
In response to the allegation, Sky Sports apologised in a statement while also giving assurances to the SFA.
A Sky Sports spokesperson told Football Scotland:
“Sky Sports has discussed the matter internally and provided the Scottish FA assurances with regard to permitted use of the VAR audio.
“Andy Walker has also admitted his regret over his comments and how they have been reported by the podcast company who invited him to their show.
“We apologise to our colleagues at the Scottish FA with whom we have a strong relationship, and look forward to continuing to provide exclusive live coverage of the Scottish Premiership.”
Walker’s concerns are truly damming, and if the comments he’s overheard while in the gantry are true, they should be investigated fully and thoroughly.
VAR has been nothing short of a disaster since it was first introduced to the Scottish Game in October, ahead of schedule and partway through a season.
It’ll be interesting to see how VAR operates this week, after the January derby having a major talking point centred around VAR, with Conor Goldson’s infamous handball going unpunished.
