MOTHERWELL chief executive officer Alan Burrows has called upon the league’s governing body to commission an in-depth study into the feasibility of introducing Video Assistant Referees into Scottish football.

Aberdeen released a statement last week asking for trials of VAR technology after their appeal against a Mikey Devlin red card was rejected, while Burrows’ own club’s manager, Stephen Robinson, said that VAR may have ruled out Hearts’ winning goal at Fir Park on Saturday.

An SPFL spokesman told Herald Sport: “We will continue to monitor the use of Video Assistant Referees in those European leagues where it is currently being trialled. The feedback from those trials will inform our own decisions about the possible future implementation of VAR. It is important that all costs and benefits of this system are taken into account before any decision is made.”

But Burrows, who joined the SPFL board in July, believes that doesn’t go far enough, and wants a detailed investigation into the technology so that an informed decision on whether it can be implemented in Scottish football can be made.

“VAR was one of the subjects brought up at the last SPFL board meeting, and we had agreed to review it,” Burrows said.

“That was prior to Aberdeen’s statement, and I think if a member club – particularly one of the biggest clubs – say that in such matter of fact terms about VAR, then it really should start the wheels in motion about a further discussion about it.

“I’d like to see us doing a proper study on it and get proper feedback, even if it is just a paper to the SPFL board or through the clubs. We have to take the guesswork out of it, assess the options and let people make this decision from an informed place.

“At the moment, we just kind of shrug our shoulders and say ‘let’s see how it goes’ or ‘I’m not too sure’. Let’s get on the front foot here and see if there is a way to do it. If there isn’t, fine, but at least we could look ourselves in the mirror and say we gave it our best shot, rather than just saying it is too expensive.

“What other leagues use it? What is the technology? What is the cost of that technology? Who are the competitors in the market? What works well and what doesn’t? If we have all that information in front of us, we can make a reasoned decision. At the moment, we are just sitting there and seeing what happens.

“People might not think that it is value for money, but we will only know that once we know exactly how much it is going to cost. When you know that number, you can weigh it up against all of the other things that we might like to spend money on.

“The onus is on the people that run the game, like myself, like the league, to fully rule this in or out one way or the other. At least that will demonstrate to supporters that we have looked at it in great detail and great depth and we’ve made a decision based on all the facts, rather than shrugging our shoulders and saying that it’s just not going to happen.

“We owe it to the punters, the players, the managers, the sponsors and most of all, the referees to try and make the game as fair as possible. I’ve yet to meet a referee who wouldn’t welcome the additional help.”

Despite the costs involved in purchasing the technology and in training and paying extra match officials, Burrows thinks that the introduction of VAR is inevitable, and that the Scottish Premiership can find its own workable system.

“We’re definitely on the road,” he said. “We have a minimum of four cameras at every game and satellite trucks at every game, so that gives us a decent platform on which to build.

“There is no lack of willingness, I think we’re pushing against an open door, but the worry is that the cost will be prohibitive.

“Does it have to be all or nothing, or is there a hybrid I the middle or other ways that it could be more affordable? If there is, then let’s take it forward, because I think there are now numerous examples all around the world.

“For well over a year in the MLS they have been using it very well, and it has helped them to get most of the big decisions right.

“I would like to know if there are different options, and different cost levels accordingly, rather than an anecdotal 10 grand a game and that’s it.”