Hope Powell says VAR should not come into the women’s game and money would be better spent elsewhere.

Manchester United Casey Stoney is against video refs being introduced, saying money could be put to better use, and Albion boss Powell agrees with her.

Powell said: “I think further down the line it could happen but I understand exactly what she is saying. I think there are parts of the game that need support.

“We have to make sure that the grassroots game is supported, so that the future of the game is bright. We have to ensure that the clubs almost in the top flight is actually a level playing field. We don’t have dedicated stadia, we share grounds at every level so I can see it happening down the line.

“But if we are talking about it coming in now I can’t see it, there is a lot of money and investment in it. I think if it comes to a point where the clubs have their own ground, as sharing the ground is not possible.

“I don’t see that with the 23’s playing, senior men and senior women playing in one ground I don’t see that being realistic, with fixture clashes being a viable option.

“I think in the future down the line it will happen, as 20 or 30 years ago when people spoke of women becoming professional footballers and earning a full time, who would have thought that? Who would have thought you would have got 80,000 at Wembley?

“In time as the game moves and develops those things will come in naturally, right now is the game ready for it I don’t think financially clubs can afford it.”