Bookmakers have slashed the odds of when Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be introduced into football.

The Premier League led the way in video technology with goal-line decisions brought in 2013, since then Germany, Italy, France and Holland have all introduced it – whilst UEFA brought it in last year for the Champions League, Europa League and European Championship.

Fifa are now experimenting with the VAR system and are using it in a number of games across the globe. One of those was France’s friendly with Spain, which the visitors won 2-0.

During the game Antoine Griezmann saw a header ruled out due to Layvin Kurzawa beig offside but only after referee Felix Zwayer consulted the extra official.

Video replay was used in the France vs Spain game to disallow an Antoine Griezmann goal, ruling it as offside. pic.twitter.com/JGppYvdcsP

— PlayerPro (@PlayerProSoccer) March 28, 2017

Then later in the game, it went the other way. Gerard Deulofeu scored but was flagged offside, but again the decision was over-turned on review.

The France coach, Didier Deschamps, said he had no problem with the use of technology. “If it is verified and it is fair, why not [use VAR]?” he told TF1. “It changes our football a little. It is against us but if we have to go through this it will be the same for everyone. Afterwards, without [VAR], it would have been different, but it is the evolution of football. That is how it will be.”

Ladbrokes now believe that the Premier League could bring in VAR as soon as next year.

It’s just 6/4 to see it immediately after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, while 7/4 says it takes another year to reach these shores. It’s 4/1 that the technology is introduced as early as next season.

Ladbrokes News’ Alex Apati said: “The use of Video Assistants brought about plenty of talk during the France v Spain game last night, and it’s surely only a matter of time before we see them in the Premier League.”