Did Stina Blackstenius handle the ball? Were Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum offside? Was Arsenal robbed of victory? The London derby revealed how much the WSL lacks VAR.
- The managers of Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women, respectively Renée Slegers and Sonia Bompastor, strongly called for the introduction of VAR and other technology in the Women’s Super League (WSL) after controversial officiating in their recent league fixture.
- Slegers stated: “In a game like this we need just decisions. We need justice. That’s where I think VAR and technology can come in.” She emphasised that as the WSL stakes increase (title race, relegation etc.), refereeing must evolve.
- The controversy centres on two disallowed goals for Arsenal: one by Stina Blackstenius ruled out for handball despite replays showing the ball hit her hip; and another by Frida Maanum flagged offside in the 90th minute when she appeared to finish past the keeper.
- Bompastor, while more measured in her comments, agreed that technology would benefit the women’s game: “I think bringing technology into the women's game would be probably the best call we can make.”
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