Chelsea Manager Criticizes…

LONDON — Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor expressed frustration over the referee’s decision that disallowed a goal during her team’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, emphasizing the need for greater respect towards women’s football and the best officiating.

Veerle Buurman‘s header was disallowed in the first half, following Arsenal taking a 2-0 lead. Referee Alina Pesu ruled that Buurman had committed a foul on Arsenal defender Laia Codina while attempting to score. The decision went unchallenged by VAR.

Chelsea managed to score with a second-half goal from Lauren James, but it proved to be too late as Arsenal capitalized on Chelsea’s missed opportunities to gain the upper hand in the all-English matchup.

“The first goal was definitely a goal,” Bompastor remarked in the post-match conference. “I can’t understand how VAR could disallow it. It’s truly disappointing.”

Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze supported the manager’s perspective.

“I don’t think any player on the field besides the referee believed that was a foul,” Bronze stated in an interview with Disney+.

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Veerle Buurman’s goal was erased after a VAR review amid Chelsea’s efforts to recover in their Champions League quarterfinal match against Arsenal.

“Once the referee calls it, VAR is unlikely to overturn that decision. It was disappointing because I believe we could have shifted the momentum back in our favor,” she continued. “That goal would have been crucial to score before halftime, and it might have helped us regain control in the second half. It’s just the nature of games, and it’s frustrating.”

Bompastor mentioned that the team was not provided with clear reasoning for the goal’s disallowance.

“They just keep saying, ‘Yes, we are checking,’ but they often make the wrong call and there’s no change. When an official makes an error, it’s somewhat understandable, but with VAR, it’s significantly more difficult to accept,” she added.

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Bompastor also referred to a previous incident where Chelsea believed they suffered from another officiating mishap when Catarina Macario‘s goal was disallowed in a 1-1 match against Barcelona during the League Phase.

Officials ruled the U.S. forward offside, although replays indicated it was a close call.

The French coach, who uniquely has won the competition as both a player and a coach with former club OL Lyonnes, asserted that the women’s game merits increased respect and appropriate officiating, even if it requires pulling referees from the men’s leagues.

“In the quarterfinals of the Champions League, there must be more respect for the women’s game and for the players, who work diligently to deliver excellent performances,” she stated.

“We deserve the best referees, so bring in the top officials. If that means sourcing them from the men’s side or elsewhere, we need the best people making these decisions, because it’s incredibly frustrating.”

Chelsea will aim to overcome the 3-1 deficit in the second leg set for April 1 at Stamford Bridge.