SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner says he would be “100 per cent for” a low-cost version of VAR to be introduced into the EFL from the 2023-24 season.

A report from The Times stated EFL bosses are “aiming to bring in a VAR-light system as a low-cost alternative to the video referees used in the Premier League.

“The system… would aim to protect against damaging refereeing mistakes but would not have the offside technology or the same number of cameras used in the top flight.”

The idea consists of four cameras which would be used to pick up different angles of the action, and an iPad would be used instead of a pitch-side monitor.

The VAR would be sat in the stands in front of a laptop to take a second look at controversial moments – they could then send it down for the referee to look at on the iPad should it be deemed necessary.

Asked if Garner would be pro or against the proposed idea, Garner said: “Pro. 100 per cent” before smiling and saying it would have given Town “another eight penalties this season.”

He continued: “For me, it would be quite simple. We can get a replay sent down to the bench quite quickly from our analysts at the back of the stand.

“For the fourth official to have some kind of screen or iPad for the key decisions – I’d be for it, 100 per cent. We just want the right decisions and the right outcome for games.”

Not everyone wants to see VAR introduced into the EFL, however. Blackpool boss Neil Critchley is one of a handful of bosses who say the technology would eradicate the spirit of the game and is keen to see football retain its grass-roots feel in the EFL.

Garner admitted he could understand that alternative view but reiterated his desire to see referees given help for clear and obvious errors that directly result in a goal.

He said: “There are some games with VAR that I’ve watched – for example, the Champions League game in midweek where one of Manchester City’s goals against Sporting Lisbon took an age to be awarded.

“We don’t want that. It needs to be quick, take a look at it, is it or isn’t it? We just want the blatant ones to be overruled.

“It doesn’t need to be a case of getting every decision right in every facet of the game, I don’t think we need the offsides necessarily at this time.

“But penalty decisions and whether the ball has crossed the line – the decisions that change games. They’re the ones where it would be nice if they could be looked at to make sure they’re right.”