Mutko said he was hopeful the technology would be implemented in the country's highest tier of domestic football next year.

The Russian Premier League voted in favour of introducing the system, which can only decide whether or not to award a goal or a penalty, for straight red cards and in cases of mistaken player identity, in a bid to help referees make key decisions in matches.

Mutko claimed, however, that it would be too difficult to get it ready in time to be used this year.

He also said he was "certain" that the VAR system would be "implemented universially" and would become part of the laws of the game "in two or three years' time".

"It is not a simple thing to do," Mutko, the former Sports Minister, told Russia's state news agency TASS.

"There is purchasing the equipment, the preparation of specialists, signing the experiment agreement with FIFA. 

"We are working on that now. 

"FIFA has two companies, one from which it works and another licensed to supply such equipment."

FIFA are hoping VAR will be ready to be used at next year's World Cup in Russia.

Question marks have been raised in recent months, however, due to errors with the technology and the referees use of it.

It was implemented for the first time at a major international tournament when Russia hosted the Confederations Cup, the traditional pre-World Cup warm-up, earlier this year.

VAR is also being trialled in a number of European leagues this season, such as Ligue 1 in France, Serie 'A' in Italy and the Bundesliga in Germany, with varying degrees of success.