Crawford Allan, the Scottish FA’s head of referee operations, has decided to leave his position at Hampden at the season’s end, following a term laden with controversy. This announcement was made on the SFA’s website.
Appointed four years ago to succeed John Fleming, Allan, at the age of 56, has faced significant scrutiny. Criticism has particularly been aimed at the implementation of VAR in the Scottish Premiership, which has been a major point of contention among the league’s top executives.
Reflecting on his tenure, Allan expressed pride in his leadership during a pivotal time of transformation in Scottish officiating, marked by challenges such as the COVID pandemic and the introduction of VAR to Scottish football. His career as a match official spans nearly three decades, including 15 years at the top level of the sport.
The use of VAR has sparked widespread debate, with Celtic recently sending a complaint to the SFA after a series of controversial decisions during a match at Tynecastle. The inconsistency in handball rulings and the criteria for “clear and obvious errors” have come under scrutiny.
Critics argue that VAR, instead of assisting referees, has further complicated their decision-making process. Transparency issues and a perceived lack of accountability among officials have also been highlighted, suggesting deep-rooted problems within the refereeing system.
