Livingston's battling win over Aberdeen was simply the newest Premiership conflict dominated by VAR with a minimum of three stoppages resulting in penalties. And the trio spot-kicks in that recreation have taken the Premiership common as much as an unimaginable common of 0.65 per recreation – practically triple what it was earlier than the know-how was launched.
It isn't even three weeks because it was first launched nevertheless it's truthful to say VAR has already made its mark within the Scottish Premiership. We will argue all day about whether or not it is splitting hairs that do not have to be cut up, or if it is merely highlighting errors that have been often missed earlier than, however both manner, a pointy rise within the variety of spot-kicks is among the chief results it is having. We might seen 17 penalties throughout 63 video games earlier than it was launched for St Johnstone's win over Hibs three weeks in the past. Within the 20 video games because it was introduced in, we have already seen an unimaginable 13 penalties given.
It means the common per recreation has nearly trebled - from 0.27 per recreation , which was roughly the identical common from final season (0.25), to 0.65 per recreation - that means for those who're watching a Scottish Premiership match, you are more likely to see a spot-kick most of the time. All of it implies that we have gone from having roughly 1.6 penalties per matchweek to nearly 4 penalties per spherical of Premiership fixtures. Extrapolated over the course of a full 228 recreation season, that might result in 152 penalties a season. Within the final marketing campaign, there have been solely 56 given.
So again to Livingston. Whereas neither Jim Goodwin nor David Martindale had an excessive amount of to say on the know-how – maybe a sign that each one three choices have been appropriate – you have not needed to look far for moans and groans.
Ange Postecoglou and Robbie Neilson have been among the many latest complainers concerning the know-how, the Celtic boss bemoaning the stop-start impact it is having on the sport, whereas the Hearts supervisor blasted "discrepancies" after Louis Moult's penalty at Tynecastle. For higher or worse, although, there appears to be a rising acceptance that that is is the brand new actuality, and we will solely hope it fades into the background as soon as the teething issues are ironed out. Backside line is – anticipate to see this rise in penalties given enhance.
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