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Arsenal chief coach Renee Slegers called for the introduction of VAR into women’s games after the key decision on the penalty was to blame for their defeat by Chelsea this weekend.
Arsenal all but forgiven of their Women’s Super League (WSL) hopes to be a 1-0 defeat by Blues to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The result has marked the first defeat of Slegers since it was at the helm and now he sees them that ten points behind their London rivals.
Still, a tight match was decided in the 84th minute after Chelsea A penalty kick was awarded after a foul by Kim Little over Lauren James. Gunners defender Katie McCaba received a red card in the middle of a fight, for allegedly offensive expression towards Judge Emily Heaslip.
Guro Reiten burying a penalty with ease, but Arsenal fans immediately appeared on social networks, claiming that Little may have come in contact with the ball first.
Speaking after glory, Slegers called for the use of video Assistant Referee (VAR) in response to increasing standards across WSL.
“The role is increasing in women’s football,” she said. “I also think it is important that the game is attractive to fans, and VAR slows down the game and gives more interruptions. But I think it will develop over time and I think we should have it.”
Commenting on McCabe’s exclusion, Slegers confirmed that it was caused by “a conversation between Katie (McCabe) and the judge” and that she “has not yet spoken to Katie (McCabe).”
“I am very pleased with the series so far because I have not lost the match and I think it says something about where we are as a team,” Slegers added. “I just think we played against the top teams today, and we played a very tight game, and it will go one way or another. It could be a 0-0 match, or a 1-1 match. So, I think we have enough strong enough foundations.
“I think the players feel it too. Yes, that happened, but it doesn’t define us. Of course, I’m very disappointed. I wanted to win today and I think we were close enough to get some games, but now we have to go on.”
“I think it was a top game in women’s football. So, overall, if I fence out of my role, I think it was a good match for women’s football.
“I think we play really good football from time to time, and what was missing today is goals. We created one or two good enough opportunities to score today, and you won’t get a lot against Chelsea.”
