Women's Super League players are being treated like "second-class citizens" due to the absence of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system and goal line technology, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said.

Champions Chelsea lost 3-2 to Arsenal on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium as the new season of the league -- which now has a major new broadcast deal -- got underway.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access

Hayes said there were plenty of positives, especially with over 8,000 fans in attendance, but was less pleased about the lack of technology to help officials after Arsenal striker Bethany Mead looked offside before she scored the winning goal.

"The negative is that by putting our product in such a brilliant place, everyone is asking why we don't have goal line technology or why we don't have VAR," Hayes told reporters.

"I heard that there was a conversation around it not being a priority because it's really expensive, but I think we're selling our game short.

"We have all got used to VAR and goal line technology, so I feel by not having it in the women's game is like being second-class citizens."

Hayes wasn't the only manager to support bringing in technology to the women's game with Manchester United's Marc Skinner, Manchester City's Gareth Taylor and Reading's Kelly Chambers also mentioning it on the opening weekend.

"If you can ever use technology I think that would be brilliant," Skinner said. "There are other things in place that we need to get right as well and to continue the growth of our game."

VAR, which was used at the 2019 Women's World Cup, made its debut in the Premier League in the 2019-20 season. Goal line technology has been in place in the men's top flight since the 2013-14 season.