Scotland's big VAR vote: Will it be passed? How SPFL vote works, what Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs think

Scottish football clubs across the SPFL will today vote on bringing video assistant referees into the top league at the end of this year with a cautious optimism surrounding the proposal.

Introducing a VAR system has long been a topic of discussion, and split opinion, across Scottish football but the 42 senior sides will make a decision on the new technology at the league’s annual general meeting. Each has been supplied with a resolution of the proposal with approximate costings and technical details discussed.

In total three-quarters of all clubs, spread throughout the league ladder, must be in favour, though only top flight referees will be given use of the technology aid aimed to be added during the mid-season World Cup break in November and December if the motion is passed.

The SPFL is one of few top-level leagues not to use video technology. Varying forms of the system are utilised in 26 countries across Europe. The UEFA Champions League and Europa League have used VAR since season 2019-20.

A statement announcing today’s Scottish league vote earlier this month read said: “The resolution requires 75% of cinch Premiership clubs, 75% of clubs in the cinch Championship and 75% of clubs in cinch Leagues 1 and 2 combined to vote in favour.

“If the resolution is passed, the target implementation date for VAR will be following conclusion of the Qatar World Cup 2022, which takes place between November 21 and December 18 this year.”

That percentage spread equates to nine of the 12 top flight teams voting in favour, eight in the cinch Championship and 15 teams in the bottom two divisions giving it the green light.

If ten or more clubs are against, the motion will fall. However, those behind the project are cautiously