Major VAR development for Championship and Birmingham City games

A scaled-back video referee system could be introduced into the Championship next year to try and avoid major refereeing blunders.

According to The Times, the Premier League's often-controversial VAR format would be too expensive to run and manage successfully in lower division leagues but a 'low cost alternative' is on the agenda.

An EFL source told the paper: "If there is a low-cost video monitoring system that stops the real blunders but does not get into a toenail being offside or studying every handball in minute detail then that could be the best of both worlds."

The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) have reportedly already started talks with the EFL about introducing the system as soon as the 2023/24 season.

New systems have been developed by the technology company which involve four cameras which can be installed inside 45 minutes and they would be stationed around the pitch.

A live feed would then be sent to the video assistant referee sitting in the stands while the touchline VAR monitor used in the Premier League, would be replaced by an iPad.

The scheme is intended to "completely overhaul match officiating in English football" with "the lofty aim of establishing a new global standard in match officiating performance and development".

The aim is to increase representation and diversity and to 'completely modernise' the pathway for young referees.