The Telegraph: London derby controversy opened the question about VAR in WSL
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.”
Sources
More Videos & Highlights
Watch the moments behind the story.
1 min QB Originals QB ORIGINALS | LISAN ALKEMADE: PSV Eindhoven Goalkeeper on How Mainstream Media Treat Women's Football Goalkeepers
1 min QB Originals QB Originals | QB Break with Franny Černá | Coffee, Football & Life in Prague
1 min QB Originals QB ORIGINALS | “We Celebrated Like We Won the World Cup” — Klára Cahynová on Beating Barcelona
4 min Off The Pitch Focus on the pitch, relax in the paddock: These footballers are F1 enthusiasts
4 min Strong Story No longer a choice: Motherhood in modern women’s football
2 min QB Originals QB ORIGINALS | BÁRA VOTÍKOVÁ — First Czech Woman at Arsenal. On & Off the Pitch
1 min QB Originals QB ORIGINALS | First Game. New Country. Hattrick. Hallie Bergford Story
1 min The Best Actions NWSL expansion sides suffer defeats in season debuts
1 min QB Originals QB ORIGINALS | SUE SMITH — A True Pioneer of the Women’s Game
The Women's Africa Cup of Nations is here. Who are the Queenballer's players to watch?
Wolfsburg's Janou Levels before the quarterfinals: We’re in good form — now we have to show it.”
An emotional goodbye: Guro Reiten leaves Chelsea after seven years for NWSL champions
Madelen Janogy’s future remains purple after signing new Fiorentina deal
GIVEAWAY: Win VIP ticket for the Europa Cup game with Queenballers!
Historic Moment: London City Lionesses to Play Before First Sell-Out Crowd
The New Marta? OL Lyonnes Sign Promising Brazilian Talent Explore more from The Pulse
Keep discovering more stories from women's football.
