Jeff Stelling warns EFL clubs will go bust with VAR – and blasts Martin Keown’s divisive claim

Jeff Stelling pulled no punches as he emphatically dismissed Martin Keown’s claim VAR belongs in the Championship.

Talk of the divisive technology being brought in to the second tier ramped up on the opening weekend following Aune Heggebo’s goal for West Bromwich Albion against Norwich City.

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Replays showed the ball came off Heggebo’s arm before it landed in the goal, sparking furious protests from Norwich’s defenders.

However, the goal stood as the Baggies went on to win 2-1 at Carrow Road.

The incident was discussed on Monday’s edition of White and Jordan, with Keown believing there was now a ‘strong argument’ for VAR to be introduced into the Championship.

Why does Martin Keown believe VAR should be in the Championship?

“When you consider this is the sixth-biggest league in European football and the revenues involved and how one wrong decision massively impacts… I do think it’s time to bring it (VAR) into the Championship,” Keown said.

“The clubs are voting against it. This is the problem, getting everybody to believe it. Some of the grounds are maybe not set up for the Premier League or the technology that you need.

“But I think now they really should be looking at bringing it up to speed, particularly with the attendances and money involved.

“I can’t believe it hasn’t come in yet.”

But Stelling was not having a bar of it and issued a scathing response on talkSPORT Breakfast.

Jeff Stelling’s stinging response to Martin Keown’s VAR verdict

“Well, Martin lives on planet Keown, doesn’t he,” Stelling said.

“He’s so out of touch with what everybody else feels.

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“Nobody, I would say 90 per cent of EFL fans do not want VAR anywhere near the game.”

Stelling was also quick to remind Keown that the introduction of VAR into the Championship would have a detrimental knock-on effect to the rest of the EFL given the disparity of finances between those at the top end of the second tier and those fighting for their lives in League Two.

What would the financial implications of VAR in the EFL be?

“You bring it into the Championship, you bring it into League One, you bring it into League Two and what do you do,” Stelling continued.

“Half of those clubs go bust, because they have not got the money or the desire to have VAR.

“The benefits for me for not having VAR far outweigh the occasional mistake.”

Breakfast co-host Ally McCoist echoed Stelling’s thoughts and reminded Keown that he even acknowledged the Championship clubs would prefer not to have VAR in place.

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“Here’s a great idea, let’s give you something you don’t want,” McCoist said.

“It’d be interesting, if you put a vote with football fans, a greater percentage would want rid of it than keep it.

“Why would you give somebody something they don’t want?”

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