Crawford Allan QUITS as SFA refs chief after season dogged by VAR controversy

Scottish FA refs chief Crawford Allan will QUIT his Hampden role at the end of season after a campaign dogged by controversy, he has announced.

Allan has come under fire over with the huge criticism surrounding the use of VAR in the Scottish Premiership a particular source of anger for top flight bosses. The 56-year-old was appointed Head of Referee Operations at the Scottish Football Association four years ago when he replaced John Fleming.

Now he will step down with the news announced on the SFA website. He said: “It has been an honour to lead Referee Operations in Scotland especially during such an historic period of change. Taking the role, after almost 30 years as a match official including 15 years in the top-flight, coincided not only with two years affected by the COVID pandemic, but also the inception and then introduction of VAR in Scottish football."

"While there are refinements and improvements to be made to VAR, as there are in leagues across the world, it has taken a monumental effort from my team at the Scottish FA and the match officials to have it embedded in the Premiership and cup matches at Hampden Park.

“VAR is only one aspect of the role, albeit one that can overshadow the positive strides we have taken forward. I am grateful to my team for their support. I would also like to thank the wider team in Referee Operations for their professionalism, often seven days a week, and the Referee Committee for their support and counsel. Above all, I would like to thank the match officials at all levels for their unwavering commitment to our national game.”