LONDON – Arsenal manager Rene Slijers and Chelsea manager Sonia Bombastor have both called for better officiating and the use of VAR in the Women’s Super League after several poor decisions derailed a high-stakes encounter.
Slegers was frustrated with the decisions made and insisted the team needed “justice” after two goals were disallowed which severely affected Arsenal’s ability to win the game.
First, Stina Plaxtenius had a goal disallowed for handball, even though the ball did not touch the Swede’s hand when she dropped the ball.
Then Alessia Russo’s equalizer was stopped despite an offside error at the start of the attack. What would have been the match-winner from Frida Mannum was ruled out for offside, although the midfielder did not look that way in the replay.
“Right now, if you ask me, I think in a match like this, we need fair decisions. We need fairness. I think that’s where VAR and technology can come in,” Sligers said in a press conference.
“Yes, there is more and more at stake in the WSL, at the top, but also in the relegation battle and everything in between. There is more and more at stake, I think we have to look at how we can develop the game in all aspects.”
Regarding the first goal that was canceled by Blackstenius, which completely changed the course of the match, the Dutch coach said that she had “no idea” that the goal was cancelled.
She said: “The goal was scored, and no one called for it. I turned around, and the players were celebrating, and the stadium was crazy. It’s a great moment. We’re celebrating in a little while. Then he communicated with the technical staff about what we’re going to do from here, and what the plan is going forward. Then suddenly I turned around and saw someone saying the goal was not allowed, so I was very surprised.”
Chelsea were also the victim of poor decision-making after Viktoria Belova’s tackle on Keira Walsh, which resulted in only a yellow card. With VAR intervening, the Dutch midfielder would have potentially faced a red card, and the home team could have been 10 points down.
Bombastor was not keen to talk harshly about arbitration; However, since she has been supportive of assistive technologies in the past, she echoed her comments after another poor showing at the administration.
The Chelsea coach said in a press conference: “It is difficult to make comments on this matter because from the dugout you cannot see the same thing they can see on the field.”
She added: “I understand that Arsenal are a bit frustrated, but I don’t want to make any comments. I’m not the referee, and I was too far away to make a really good comment. I didn’t watch the game (in the return), so I need to watch the game again.”
However, the French coach’s reaction was measured, as poor decision-making overshadowed what was supposed to be a high-stakes clash in women’s football between two top teams, and instead of discussing the football or the players, all discussions focused firmly on the officiating.
– WSL: Arsenal draws with Chelsea, and Man United loses to Aston Villa
“When you analyze the men’s game, this also happens, you have big matches and in the end we talk about refereeing. It happens. Maybe people need to focus on the quality we have from both teams,” Bombastor said.
“This match is probably one of the most beautiful matches in the world. Everyone wants to be in this match for many reasons, two good teams, and the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was great. So it’s really good advertising for the WSL. We have to balance that with the officiating.”
After saying in January 2025 that she was in favor of the introduction of goal-line technology and VAR, Bombastor added: “I think introducing technology into women’s football will probably be the best decision we can make.”
