Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers has called for VAR to be introduced in the women’s game after a penalty was blamed for their loss to Chelsea at the weekend.
Arsenal all except the offer forgiven with his Women’s Super League (WSL) title hopes after a 1-0 defeat by the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The result marked Sleger’s first loss since he was in charge and now sees them ten points clear of their London rivals.
However, in the 84th minute after that, it was decided for a close contest Chelsea they were awarded a penalty kick as a result of a foul by Kim Little on Lauren James. Gunners defender Katie McCabe was shown a red card amid the altercation, for allegedly directing abusive language at referee Emily Heaslip.
Guro Reiten buried the penalty with ease, but Arsenal fans immediately took to social media to claim that he may have made first contact with the ball.
Speaking after the win, the Slegers called for the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in response to increasing standards across the WSL.
“The stakes are getting higher in women’s soccer,” she said. “I also think it’s important that the game is attractive to the fans, and Var slows the game down and gives it more pause. But, I think it will develop over time and I think we should have it”.
Commenting on McCabe’s posting, Slegers confirmed that it was caused by a “conversation between Katie [McCabe] And the judge “and that she” didn’t talk to Katie [McCabe] more”.
“I’m very happy with the run so far, I haven’t lost a game, and I think that says something about where we are as a team,” Slegers added. “I just think today we played against a top team and we played a very tight game, and it will go one way or the other. It could be a 0-0 game, or a 1-1 game. So I think we have a strong enough foundation .
“I think the players feel it. Yes, it 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 something out of the game, but now we have to move on. “
“I think it was a top game in women’s football. So I think overall, if I distance myself from my role, I think it was a good game for women’s football.
“I think we play some really good football at times and what was lacking today was the goals. We created one or two good enough chances to score today and you’re not going to get many against Chelsea.”
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