Sonia Bompastor criticises VAR as Arsenal beat Chelsea in Champions League
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has demanded improved refereeing standards after a controversial VAR decision during her side’s 3-1 Women’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat by Arsenal.
The Blues were trailing 2-0 late in the first half when Dutch defender Veerle Buurman appeared to head them back into the tie.
However, the goal was ruled out after she was dubiously penalised for a foul on Arsenal centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Replays indicated the contact was minimal, yet the on-field decision stood and the visitors eventually lost the all-English clash.
‘We deserve the best referees’
Following the final whistle, the frustrated French head coach insisted that the women’s game requires a higher level of officialdom.
“It is always more difficult to complain about the referees when you lose the game, but to be honest it is not good enough.”
“When you are playing a Champions League quarter-final, you need to respect the women’s game more.”
Bompastor argued that the video technology is currently failing to eliminate clear human errors.
The 44-year-old revealed that her attempts to seek an explanation from the fourth official regarding the disallowed goal were met with dismissive responses.
Men’s officials an option
The former Lyon boss even suggested she would welcome the introduction of top officials from the men’s game to immediately raise standards.
“We deserve the best referees. If it has to be coming from the men’s game, maybe.”
“We need to have VAR in the women’s game, we just need the right people to make the decisions.”
The result leaves the reigning Women’s Super League champions facing a significant uphill battle to keep their European dreams alive this season.
Despite the frustrating deficit, the manager remains defiant ahead of next week’s crucial return fixture.
“If I don’t have the belief, I just stay home.”
