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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Josh McCafferty

SFA chief reveals goal-line technology cost after controversial Rangers moment

Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney says not even a different camera angle would've prevented Nicolas Raskin's effort for Rangers against Hibernian from being ruled out, as he revealed the cost of introducing goal-line technology in the top-flight. 

The Belgian midfielder thought he had put his side two in front at Easter Road on the final day of the Scottish Premiership season, although referee Nick Walsh didn't give a goal. 


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After a VAR review, it was found that there was no conclusive evidence that proved the ball was over the line. 

"The camera wouldn’t eradicate the issue of the Hibs v Rangers game," said Mulraney [SunSport]. 

"It could still be blocked by a player on the line, so it needs to be goal-line technology because it can still be blocked.

"The SFA view on that is really simple. If the league wants it, we’ll bring it in. It was on the agenda at the last meeting of the Professional Game Board.

'I chair that and we’re saying, ‘No problem whatsoever. You want goal-line technology, we’ll support it’.

"But there are games in Scotland that use goal-line technology — ours! You play in the Scottish Cup semi-finals and final, you’ve got goal-line technology. We pay for it.

"For the Premiership to have goal-line technology would be around £1 million a year amongst the clubs, so it would be the thick end of £100,000 each.

“I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, it’s just the reality.

"If you’re club X, would you rather invest that £100,000 in a new facility for disabled fans, a new bit in the car park, fix the roof or whatever else?

"In general terms, I think our referees are doing better than OK, I really do. They make mistakes but if you sit ten referees down, they don’t all agree on an incident.

"I listen to commentators on TV saying, ‘How could he possibly have done that?’. You think, ‘Well, because it’s perfectly reasonable for him to have done it’.

"My responsibility, to a large extent, is to protect my refs. Clubs look after the players. Who’s looking after our referees? Who’s making sure we have the best?

"I think they’re doing a good job and I’m not saying that because I’m protecting my refs. I genuinely believe they do a good job and I think Willie’s doing a good job.

"I think we’re comparable to any other country in Europe."

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