Latest news with #WillieCollum
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scottish referees could be mic'd up next season to explain VAR decisions to fans
The move comes as SFA refs chiefs Willie Collum looks to improve transparency over decisions There's arguably only one thing worse than when an engine catches fire on your passenger plane. And that's when the man in charge of the cockpit gets into such a blind panic over it that he forgets the fundamentals of how to fly the damn thing. Which is precisely why refs' boss Willie Collum has turned to a couple of professional pilots this week in order to help his own officials prepare for the new campaign - in the hope of avoiding any bumpy landings. The trick, says Collum, is to remain calm, composed and concise in any kind of crisis situation - and especially when communicating with the men at the control tower, or, in this case, those manning the VAR bunker at Clydesdale House. And, after asking Scotland's top whistlers attend a crash course from the experts, Collum believes his men will be ready for just about anything when the new season gets up and running this weekend. He said: "We've had aviation experts in, pilots. They're training pilots as well. They showed us examples of critical situations, life and death situations. "People think football is life and death, it's not quite the same, but it's an intense environment and we wanted to know how people communicate there. "What we really liked about it was that it showed us that sometimes the VARs are speaking and they are not really asking the right open question. "They could be leading the assistant VAR but the pilot is not asking the co-pilot questions that he is just going to agree with. "You actually see some examples where they physically sit back. We showed a clip from a match in Scotland where the VAR sits back and the AVAR gets in about the screen looking at it. "There was lots about communication. Another key thing was that nobody in a cockpit uses the words, 'I think'. It needs to be concrete, it needs to be, 'Here's what it is actually showing, here's what the outcome is'. Rather than saying 'it's something that I'm thinking', we need it to be more factual." And calm. Always calm. Especially when one of the engines is belching out flames and smoke - a scenario which was played out in front of Collum and his officials. He said: "We saw examples of that yesterday. Nobody can deny the pilot's adrenalin is pumping and they are fearing, they're frightened, they're worried. "It's about keeping calm because you have got a process and you know to follow that process. We want the same. When there are critical, difficult decisions for the VAR to make they have a process there." This left-field training programme was originally piloted - sorry - with referees from England's top flight. And Collum not only believes his colleagues down south have reaped the benefits but has also gone to the bother of pinching former Premier League whistler Martin Atkinson to head of Scotland's VAR team. He said: "There were a couple of high-profile decisions, with a lot of debate about the communication after a Spurs game against Liverpool. "England were the first to say, 'We need to have a real serious think about what's being said in the room. "It can't just be a run-of-the-mill conversation, we need the right phrases and processes'. "What we are using through aviation is that you need robust processes. We definitely think that in England you can see evidence of that. "In the short time that Martin has been in position, we are already seeing better evidence of that. "If you had gone into the VAR room before Martin and talked about communication, it'd have been really busy with people talking, saying too much. "Now, if you go in you would think, 'Something is not working right here because I'm not hearing anything!'. "But it is about speaking when you need to speak so that it is relevant. We also know that talking, talking, talking can make people tired. We don't want our VARs and AVARs being tired. "What was really interesting for us is they actually said that some of our clips would be good to train their pilots. They were able to see good examples. "From a technical point of view they didn't know what the right or the wrong decision was but what they did say was, 'Could there have been less talk? A different approach? More open-ended question to AVAR?' "They see a lot of similarities between what is happening in the VAR room and the cockpit. Again it is not life and death, but in football, maybe even in the west of Scotland, it is up there." With that in mind, Collum is also keen to roll out better communication with supporters inside Scotland's stadiums and believes a system to explain VAR decisions in-game will improve the match day experience. All he needs now is the clubs to agree to pay for it. He said: "We are closer. We've had good discussions with the clubs. When the referee goes to the monitor and can make an announcement - you're enhancing transparency. "We're also taking into cognisance about what clubs are saying and the in-stadium experience for fans. We want to support that as well. "We don't think it would cost a fortune. We've already been doing a bit of work in the background looking at costing and whatever for that. We would welcome it. We think that's doable. With goalline technology, it's also doable, you can bring it in - but it would cost a substantial amount. "If clubs gave us the green light for it financially, we would train the referees immediately. It's not as simple as people think, going to the monitor and making an announcement. "You've got to get the wording right, about selling decisions, but we would move fast with that. If we get a green light for that, we would introduce it within a season even. "I don't mean within a season meaning next season - I mean we would be happy to introduce it in the current season."
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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
From cockpit to VAR room: how aircraft pilots are helping Scottish referees prepare for new season
SFA head of referees Willie Collum enlists help of aviation experts Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish football is no stranger to a pilot project, but Willie Collum and his team of referees have taken that to new heights after getting advice from the aviation industry. Ahead of the new Premiership season this weekend, the SFA head of referees Collum has sought external help as he tries to sharpen the use of video technology ahead of the new league season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There can be no doubt that pilots and the air traffic controllers assisting them face some of the most pressurised situations known to man. And while some football fans may see the fortunes of their team as life and death, those in charge of aircraft often have to take actions that ensure the safety of the public. Collum believes the sessions that his officials had with aviation experts can help them deal with the stresses of a high-profile VAR decision and keeping composure in the heat of the moment. SFA head of referees, Willie Collum, called on the help of aviation experts to train his officials in communicating under pressure ahead of the new Scottish football season. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group / SFA 'We have had aviation experts in, pilots," explained Collum. "They are training pilots as well. They showed us good examples of critical situations, life and death situations. People think football is life and death, but it is not quite the same. But it is an intense environment and we wanted to know how people communicate there. "What we really liked about it was that it showed us that sometimes the VARs are speaking and they are not really asking the right open question. They could be leading the AVAR. But the pilot is not asking the co-pilot questions that he is just going to agree with. You actually see some examples where they physically sit back. We showed a clip from a match in Scotland where the VAR sits back and the AVAR gets in about the screen looking at it. There was lots about communication. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Another key thing was that nobody in a cockpit uses the words 'I think'. It needs to be concrete, it needs to be 'here is what it is actually showing, here is what the outcome is'. Rather than saying it is something that I am thinking, we need it to be more factual.' Communication is key The English FA have also enlisted external help from the aviation industry on the back of contentious moments involving VAR and with Martin Atkinson, a former Premier League referee, now in place at Hampden to help out officials as the nation's VAR manager, Collum believes all the right pieces of the jigsaw are in place. 'In England, there were a couple of high-profile decisions," continued Collum. "There was a lot of debate about the communication after a Spurs game against Liverpool. England was the first to say, 'we need to have a real serious think about what is being said in the room'. It can't just be a run-of-the-mill conversation, we need to be able to use the right phrases, we need to have the right processes'. "What we are using through aviation - and from learning from other countries and what we have learned from our own experiences – is that you need robust processes. We definitely think that in England you can see evidence of that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "In the short time that Martin has been in position, we are already seeing better evidence of that. If you had gone into the VAR room before Martin came in and talked about communication, it would have been really busy with people talking, saying too much. Now, if you go in you would think, 'Something is not working right here because I am not hearing anything. But it is about speaking when you need to speak so that it is relevant. We also know that talking, talking, talking can make people tired. So we don't want our VARs and AVARs being tired.' Scottish FA VAR manager Martin Atkinson. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) | SNS Group Similarities in football and flying In terms of some of the key learnings, Collum elaborated: "Nobody can deny that the pilots adrenaline is pumping and they are fearing, they're frightened, they're worried. It is about keeping calm because you have got a process and you know to follow that process. We want the same. When there are critical, difficult decisions for the VAR to make they have a process there.' It wasn't just a one-way street as pilots and referees gathered in the same room. Some of what Collum and his team are doing was of use to the people more accustomed to using flight instruments than drawing offside lines. 'What was really interesting for us is they actually said that some of our clips would be good to train their pilots," explained Collum. "They were able to see good examples. They were also analysing a lot of clips where they said from a technical point of view they didn't know what the right or the wrong decision was. But what they did say was, 'Could there have been less talk? Could there have been a different approach? Could there have been a more open-ended question to the AVAR?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "They see a lot of similarities between what is happening in the VAR room and the cockpit. Again it is not life and death, but in football, maybe even in the west of Scotland, it is up there.' Collum won't stop at the aviation industry either. Any help his referees can get externally will be tapped into. 'Martin has come from a police background," he added. "We don't want to go way out there and way wide, but any industry that can help us, we would be keen to use it. I think a few guys were put off flying, but it was a good exercise.'
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Willie Collum reveals stance on Scottish football goalline technology and in-game VAR announcements
SFA head of referees says onus on clubs to put infrastructure in place Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish football officials would be ready to explain their decisions live to supporters "within months" of clubs giving in-match comms the green light, according to the game's head of referees Willie Collum. Amid reports last week that Premier League matches in England for the 2025/26 season are set to feature referees explain major VAR decisions on a mic to the crowd, Collum revealed that officials north of the border could be trained swiftly so that they could do the same and did not rule out such an innovation being brought in midway through a season. However, he stressed that Premiership teams would need to get infrastructure in place first before he could move forward with his team of officials. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Collum said he would also welcome the implementation of goalline technology within the Scottish top flight after controversial decisions last season involving Celtic, Rangers and Hibs, but reiterated that it would cost "a substantial amount of money". Scottish FA head of refereeing Willie Collum. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group / SFA Speaking ahead of the league season starting this weekend, Collum said: "We've certainly been speaking to the clubs about other aspects of technology, goalline technology being one of them. We've also been speaking to the clubs about in-stadium comms. It's financial. The decisions are financial. We need the clubs to make those decisions. "What I would say is that I would have open arms to any of these. We would certainly embrace them. But I also want to say something else and I'm not paying this lip service, I want to be really honest: we won't use a lack of something as an excuse for anything. We'll do the best we can with the resources we have got. But we won't say we think the ball is out, we've told the referees that we want factual evidence, conclusive evidence to prove a decision. Would we embrace goalline technology, would we embrace stadium comms? Absolutely. But I'll be honest and say I don't think that's a decision directly for me." Enhacing in-game experience Asked directly if we are getting closer to either goalline technology or in-stadium comms, Collum continued: "I think we are closer. I think we've had good discussions with the clubs. Let's take the in-stadium comms, when the referee goes to the monitor and can make an announcement - you're enhancing transparency even more. You know I'm about that - even more people are seeing it. We're also taking into cognisance about what clubs are saying and the in-stadium experience for fans. We want to support that as well. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We don't think [it would cost a fortune]. We've already been doing a bit of work in the background looking at costing and whatever for that. We would welcome it. We think that's doable. With goalline technology, it's doable, you can bring it in - but it would cost a substantial amount of money." Referee Nick Walsh checks the VAR monitor during a match between Rangers and Hibs at Ibrox last season. | SNS Group Introducing in-game comms would likely involve a smaller investment, although it would be dependent on each club. "It's hard for me to say," Collum said on finances. "That's the reality because you'd need to look at stadium infrastructure. Say you go to Aberdeen or Motherwell, they might have two completely different tannoy systems, and it would be about how much fibre you need to put in, for example. So it would be crazy for me to put a ballpark figure on it." Nevertheless, Collum believes referees could be ready to broadcast their decisions to the public not long after the clubs give the OK. "So if clubs gave us the green light for it financially, we would train the referees immediately," said Collum. "In England, they trained the referees and it's not as simple as people think, going to the monitor and making an announcement. You've got to get the wording right, about selling decisions, but we would move fast with that. If we get a green light for that, we would introduce it within a season even. I don't mean within a season meaning next season, I mean we would be happy to introduce it in a current season. Asked if he could have it in place within months, Collum replied: "One hundred per cent." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Referee John Beaton arrives ahead of a William Hill Premiership match between Hearts and Rangers at Tynecastle last season. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'Humanising' referees Collum believes referees being more open to supporters will help "humanise" them. Since taking up his role at the SFA a year ago, the 46-year-old former official has held a monthly VAR show and is hellbent on making sure fans see a different side to officials. "People just see us running about a pitch on a Saturday and they don't know us as individuals," said Collum. "But we're people like all of us - they love football. We love refereeing. But I think these things have helped humanise refereeing a bit better. We do a lot on trying to promote. We've got really good videos about promoting women's refereeing. The video we have just now is showing female referees in their outfits that they are wearing for their job, in terms of us being nurses, police officers. We want to humanise referees, we want to encourage people into the game. So we think these are good strides.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
The new law change that will make football ‘much quicker'
A new football law change will make the game a lot quicker, a referee chief has said. A significant new rule was seen during the Euro 2025 final between England and Spain during the penalty shootout. Beth Mead slipped when she took her penalty, causing her to touch the ball twice before the ball hit the back of the net. This is not allowed. Previously, the goal would have been chalked off. But thanks to the new law, it meant she was allowed to retake her penalty kick. If a double-touch happens during a game and a player misses or has the penalty saved, a free-kick will be awarded to the defending team. But it is another law that is being hailed as a positive for the game. Referees can now give corners to the opposition if goalkeepers take more than eight seconds to release the ball from their hands. A previous six-second rule was hardly ever enforced, with refs seemingly reluctant to order indirect free-kicks for the infringement. But a leading referee chief expects this summer's major law change to speed up games without referees having to intervene much, if at all. On the worldwide rule change, Scottish Football Association head of referees Willie Collum said: 'We think it will make the game much quicker because the goalkeepers now are under pressure to release a ball. 'We'll have prepared our referees tactically for that as well, forgetting just about the decision-making, the eight seconds and punishing it. We also know there will be a lot of shorter balls at times in and around the penalty area. We need our referees to be well prepared for that. 'But, it's like any rule change, the clubs are aware of it. We've spoken to a lot of goalkeeper coaches who are saying they've already been coaching it, working at it. So, we don't think we'll see a great amount of issues with that.' Referees will start the count when the goalkeeper is in full control of the ball and is unobstructed by opponents, and will visibly count the last five seconds. If any opposition player pressures or obstructs the goalkeeper, an indirect free-kick will be awarded. Collum added: 'We know that in the League Cup so far, we've not encountered any issues with it at all. It's not been punished once. So we'd hope that would continue throughout the season. We'll be proactive as well in working with the goalkeepers with that.' Another law to come in this summer involves referees: if touch the ball, they will hand a drop ball to the team who would have received it, rather than only resuming the game with possession to the last team that played the ball.
STV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Collum backs goal-line technology and in-stadium VAR announcements
Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum says he would fully back the introduction of goal-line technology in the Premiership – and revealed talks have taken place over officials making in-stadium VAR announcements. One of the most controversial refereeing decisions of last season came on the final day when a Rangers 'goal' against Hibernian was not allowed because officials couldn't determine whether the ball had fully crossed the line at Easter Road. The decision came after a similar call in a Celtic match against Hibernian, where a goal for the champions was ruled out because it was ruled by the match officials that the ball had gone out of play before Alistair Johnston crossed for Daizen Maeda to score. Collum admitted in his VAR review show that officials had effectively guessed and couldn't be 100% certain the ball was out when they made the call. In the wake of the Easter Road incident, Rangers had called for goal-line technology to be introduced in Scottish football and Collum said that while it would not aid in all controversial line calls, it would be a benefit to his referees. 'We would be very open to it,' the refereeing chief told STV. 'We understand the financial constraints because goal line technology is very, very expensive. 'People might look at it and ask how often you would use it because, for example, the Hibs v Celtic decision, it wouldn't have helped. 'Certainly the Hibs v Rangers decision, it would have helped because that's a goalmouth decision. 'What I wouldn't say is that because we don't have one aspect of technology that we'll make excuses or say that it's impossible to call things. 'We want to make sure, even in the situations we find ourselves in, that we're always striving for improvement and looking for ways to improve. 'Of course any kind of technology that we could bring in that would help us or improve us, in terms of refereeing, we would be open to it. 'Whether it be goal-line technology, in-stadium communication either leaving the monitor or when there's a check going on for the people attending the matches in person.' No price has been put on introducing the goal-line system in Scottish football, and Collum insists it's not for him to pressure the clubs who would have to pay for it. 'That would be a decision outwith refereeing,' he said. 'It's not a decision we would make. 'We, of course, get financial support for VAR from the clubs so that would be a decision they would have to make. 'We would be in favour of goalline technology but it's not for me to decide how any finances are spent.' While that advance may still be some time away, another innovation may arrive at Scottish grounds sooner than expected. In-stadium announcements, where the referee is connected to the stadium's speaker system to explain VAR calls to supporters, has already been introduced at the top level, with some games in the English League Cup being used for a trial. Collum revealed that talks have already taken place about bringing in the change to deliver a better experience for fans. 'We've had discussions with the clubs about that,' he said. 'We would be very keen for that. 'It's another element of transparency. 'Some of the difficulty with VAR is the in-stadium experience. We think that would certainly support it. If there was a long check going on, the referee would be able to communicate that, and they could indicate the decision when leaving the monitor. You see it at the Club World Cup and other competitions. 'I'm always looking for the best product here in Scotland and I would support that. 'It's not simple but we would embrace any technology that's for the benefit of the game, the benefit of the product here in Scotland and for match officials and people involved in football. 'There's a possibility it could be this coming season. If we get the support from the clubs financially we would be able to implement that. 'We would need a period of time to train but I'm not going to rule that out.' For the time being, Collum is looking forward to the new season, after taking time to explain rule changes and interpretations to SPFL clubs, players and staff in recent weeks. As well as talking Premiership stars through the interpretation of the rules, he said he had also been listening to feedback to ensure a better understanding of footballers' opinions and perspective on decisions, to get a better understanding for his match officials. Among the new things fans, players and referees will be getting to grips with in the new season are three changes to the game. 'Double-touch' penalties will now be retaken if the player scores, with an indirect free-kick awarded to the defending team if the penalty is missed or saved. If referees touch the ball, they will hand a drop ball to the team who would have received it, rather than only resuming the game with possession to the last team that played the ball as was previously the rule. In the biggest change, and one that is to be strictly enforced, referees will now award a corner kick to the opposing team if a goalkeeper handles the ball for more than eight seconds. Collum feels that can only speed up the game and eradicate time-wasting, and feels just the existence of the rule will achieve that without referees needing to act often. 'We think it will make the game much quicker because the goalkeepers now are under pressure to release a ball,' he said. 'We'll have prepared our referees tactically for that as well, forgetting just about the decision-making, the eight seconds and punishing it. We also know there will be a lot of shorter balls at times in and around the penalty area. We need our referees to be well prepared for that. 'But, it's like any rule change, the clubs are aware of it. We've spoken to a lot of goalkeeper coaches who are saying they've already been coaching it, working at it. So, we don't think we'll see a great amount of issues with that.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
