Head of VAR Surprisingly Leaves After Two Months in the Job

Jon Moss, who was appointed as the Scottish FA’s first VAR Manager two months ago, is leaving his role to accept a senior position with a national association on a different continent, the SFA have announced.

Moss, a former Premier League referee and elite referee manager at PGMOL, took on the VAR managerial role in August 2024 under Willie Collum, the new Scottish FA Head of Refereeing.

Despite his short tenure, Moss’s departure is linked to a prestigious opportunity that presents significant personal and professional advancement, but it has nothing to do with VAR in Scotland.

Willie Collum expressed disappointment over Moss’s swift exit but acknowledged the unique nature of the offer Moss received.

“I am obviously disappointed to be losing Jon so quickly but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him and his family and I wish him the very best on his new adventure.

“It is a measure of the esteem in which he is held in refereeing globally that he has been offered a top job in a different continent.

“The work he has undertaken with us as VAR Manager has already strengthened our operation and we will begin the process of recruiting a replacement immediately.”

Moss himself reflected positively on his brief period with the Scottish FA, noting improvements in the implementation of VAR and expressing his affection for the role and the people he worked with at Clydesdale House.

“I have loved my short time at the Scottish FA and already I believe clubs, players, managers and supporters see a significant improvement under Willie’s leadership. Even though my time in Scotland has been short and sweet, I have loved working with the Scottish FA and the VAR team at Clydesdale House.

“I leave with only fond memories and a wish that I could have stayed for longer but this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I look forward to the new challenge, better equipped for it by my experience in Scotland.”

The Scottish FA has announced that the search for Moss’s replacement as VAR Manager will begin immediately, aiming to build on the foundation he has laid to enhance VAR operations further.

VAR is a hot topic of debate in Scotland, but already this season fans are slightly more satisfied with the changes that have been made. There seems to be more consistency with the handball rule, and the new VAR review show went down well with punters. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement with the Technology.