CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe said he needed to be convinced Video Assistant Referees would work and would not “ruin the game as we know it”.

The scheme was introduced in last night’s FA Cup tie between Brighton and Crystal Palace as part of a trial agreed between the FA, the Football League and the Premier League

VAR will allow match referees to review incidents with the help of two officials watching on from Premier League match centre in west London.

Video evidence can only be used to decide whether a goal should stand, whether a player deserves a straight red card, whether a penalty should be awarded and in cases of mistaken identity.

A referee can ask for a second look after making an on-field decision or VAR can advise the official to review an incident when the ball next goes dead.

The referee will have the final say and can override a VAR's recommendation after reviewing footage himself.

Asked for his thoughts, Howe said: “I’m not against progress and change and a way of making the game better.

“I need to be convinced it will work and won’t ruin the game as we know it.

“Everyone is mindful of the fact that the speed of the game is one of its great strengths and anything that slows that down, I’m not sure is a good thing.

“If it proves to be a success and the supporters feel it is more beneficial for the game then I will be all for that.”

Cherries’ late leveller against West Ham on Boxing Day would almost certainly have been ruled out had VAR been in use because Callum Wilson used his arm to apply the final touch.

Howe, who agreed the goal would have been chalked off, added: “It’s not so much things like that, it’s more the speed of the game and how it will impact on the game itself. You just want it clear and you don’t want the game slowed down.

“I think it will improve the actual decision making but there will still be some that even the TV can’t tell what the right decision is – that will be a grey area. But I do think there will be decisions that will help the game.”