Hope Powell says time is not right for VAR in WSL

There is no VAR in the women’s top tier, including the Seagulls’ game against Reading today(2pm).

That lack of video back-up worked against Albion last weekend when they lost 4-0 at Arsenal.

They were reduced to ten players after only six minutes when defender Emma Kullberg was sent off for tripping the goalbound Stina Blackstenius.

A quick glance at a replay showed Blackstenius was a yard or so offside when the ball was played through.

That incident had potential to re-ignite any debate over whether the women’s flagship division should have some sort of video referee system, even if it is not as complex or expensive as that in the Premier League.

But Hope Powell believes there are other priorities.

The Albion boss told The Argus: “Of course there is a case for VAR.

“I was like, ‘If that is picked up and it’s clearly offside, the red card would have been null and void’.

“I understand it but my personal opinion is the game is bigger than just the WSL.

“There’s grass roots women’s football, there’s the Championship, there’s lots of things lower down the pyramid that need support and need investment.

“Let’s get all that right on the pathway so the next generation of players come through and then let’s think about VAR.

“I’m not saying I don’t think about it, because I do. Certainly, in that game I did.

“But I also look at the bigger picture and the bigger issues of women’s football in this country.

“It isn’t where it should be.

“Everyone waxes lyrical about the WSL but you have got to think about the grassroots game, the Championship.

“That’s where the next generation of English players are coming from.

“Those players have got to be taken care of – facilities, support staff, all of those things to have the best chance to be the next European champions or the next World Cup winners.

“It can’t all be about the WSL, even though I’m a WSL manager.”

Kullberg's suspension rules her out today