VAR: Lawlor says the reaction is ‘over the top’ following referees stepping down from matches

Northern Ireland Football League [NIFL] Some of the reaction to the planned introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the upcoming BetMcLean Cup final has been “overblown”, says chief executive Gerard Lawlor.

His comments It follows two referees stepping down from officiating Premier League matches this weekend, with the use of technology confirmed in next month’s decider between Linfield and Glentoran at Windsor Park understood to be a contributing factor in those decisions.

Shane Andrews was scheduled to officiate Saturday’s Mid-Ulster derby between Glenavon and Portadown at Mourneview Park, while Tony Clarke was scheduled to take charge of Sunday’s league clash between Cliftonville and Linfield at Solitude.

On Friday, the FA confirmed the historic decision to see the technology used for the first time in domestic football in Northern Ireland in the BetMcLean final on 15 March.

While the match will be officiated by Irish FA match officials, VAR operations will be managed by referees from outside Northern Ireland using the Hawk-Eye system.

Lawlor told BBC Radio Ulster’s Sportsound programme: “The reaction in my opinion was overblown. There was abuse, threats and anonymous Twitter accounts set up by people calling for my resignation.”

“This is a game of football, and if there was a big mistake in the final and people knew we had the ability to use VAR for free and without a fee to the league, those people would criticize me for not doing that.”

“There is no financial cost to the NFA or the two clubs. They are happy and fully support the decision to bring this in.”