Scottish referees demand change over VAR

Referee David Dickinson consults the VAR monitor during Livingston's clash with Hearts earlier this month

Scotland's top referees have warned the SFA they need more support following recent controversies around VAR.

And one top grade referee told BBC Scotland the current situation can't continue without major change.

Tensions have been high in recent weeks following a controversial penalty claim during Celtic's 2-1 win over Rangers at the end of December.

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Celtic defender Alistair Johnston looked to have handled the ball in the box but referee Nick Walsh didn't award a penalty.

Rangers wrote to the SFA seeking clarification after the governing body released footage showing a potential offside before the incident.

Some referees feel the governing body's handling of the situation, and other controversial incidents, has left them in the firing line with clubs and the media.

One official who was at Sunday's meeting told BBC Scotland, "The leadership have no idea of the pressures we are under and they're just not prepared to support us properly."

"We need more investment and better training."

"They rely on a lot of goodwill from the referees but they seriously fail to understand the pressures that come with the profile.

"VAR has only increased that and we sometimes feel like an afterthought."

Referees also told the SFA that there would be support for discussions on releasing VAR audio in return for an increase to their match fee.

The SFA has released audio to clubs in certain circumstances but would ultimately need permission from UEFA to make it public as a matter of course.

During the meeting, the SFA urged the officials to get in touch with their views about how decision could be better communicated to clubs and the media.

An SFA spokesman said, "The Scottish FA will continue to support match officials in the face of intense and imbalanced media scrutiny, disproportionate criticism and wholly unacceptable abuse and intrusion."