Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor expressed her discontent with the officiating following Arsenal’s Katie McCabe’s controversial decision to pull Alyssa Thompson’s hair during their Champions League quarter-final exit, stating that her players “do not deserve that level of refereeing.”
The Blues were seeking a late equalizer after scoring a stoppage-time goal, bringing the aggregate score to 3-2, when McCabe reached out and grabbed Thompson’s hair.
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Thompson, the American winger, was making a forward run, but McCabe managed to avoid a yellow card, and the video assistant referee (VAR) did not recommend a review of the incident.
Bompastor received a yellow card for her vehement protests against the decision and was subsequently sent off for her continued outcry, although she remained on the touchline as Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals.
Prepared with her mobile phone to show a replay of the incident, Bompastor gave an emphatic interview to BBC Two, stating, “For me, it is clearly a red card for the Arsenal player. She’s pulling Alyssa Thompson’s hair.”
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“If the VAR is unable to check that situation, I don’t understand its purpose,” she added. “I’m the one getting sent off when the Arsenal player should be the one facing repercussions.”
After the match, McCabe took to Instagram to clarify, “I just want to clarify that I was genuinely reaching for the shirt. I wouldn’t ever want to pull someone’s hair. Full respect to Thompson.”
Former England captain Steph Houghton commented, “It doesn’t look great, does it? Chelsea had just scored, Thompson was driving with the ball. It is really, really cynical and it doesn’t look good at all.”
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Bompastor noted that Thompson was “crying and emotional” following the game, stating, “She’s giving her all on the pitch, and it’s unacceptable when someone pulls your hair; it’s just wrong.”
After both players fell to the ground, McCabe appeared to apologize to Thompson. “I didn’t witness the incident while it was happening, but I saw Katie going over to Alyssa to apologize,” said Arsenal manager Renee Slegers. “I assume it wasn’t intentional, but it is certainly unfortunate.”
Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby remarked, “It’s surprising that VAR didn’t review that. I don’t think McCabe intended to grab Thompson’s hair; I think she was reaching for her shirt.”
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After the first leg at Emirates Stadium, Bompastor had already criticized the officiating standards, calling for “more respect” in women’s football after her team had two goals disallowed.
Bompastor reiterated, “Tonight, we are talking too much about the referees, just like we did last week. Everyone needs to understand the difference between being qualified and unqualified, as it significantly impacts the players. I’m incredibly proud of my team; they gave everything and do not deserve this level of officiating.”