Charlton boss Lee Bowyer calls for VAR to be introduced into the Championship

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer has called on the EFL to introduce VAR in the Championship.

VAR is currently being used in the Premier League for the first time season, with the aim of the technology to help match officials make the correct calls during games.

And Bowyer feels that the system can also help officials to get more key decisions correct in Championship.

“Why not?” Bowyer replied when asked whether he would like to see VAR introduced in the second tier.

“If it’s that important that they get the right decision for the Premier League, then why is it not as important in our division? You’ve got teams that are trying to get into the Premier League. Financially, it would be great for our club to get in there.

“Why should they have a different set of rules to us? Because they have. They have a different set of rules to what we’ve got. Our officials haven’t got the help that the Premier League officials have got.

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson exchanges words with referee Tony Harrington (PA Wire)

"Why should that happen? That’s not right. At the end of the day, everybody should be treated the same. If you’re going to have this VAR then just spread it around so everybody gets it.

“The refs need help. It’s the hardest job, I think, in the world. I would never do it. You can’t win. I think they need all the help they can get.”

Bristol City's Lee Johnson has been an open advocate about introducing further technology into the second tier, beyond goalline decisions, as the pace of the modern game is such that referees need assistance.

A fundamental reason why VAR has not been introduced by the EFL is due to the significant differences in budget between clubs wiith former EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey admitting last year that it is "still a fair way away" from being introduced.

"It has its attractions," Harvey said. "But we don't have the TV cameras in place that are standard fare now at Premier League clubs."

That said, with Harvery's departure at the end of last season, the appointment of Rick Parry as chairman and the expected announcement of a new chief executive, the matter could soon be back on the table.