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Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor questioned the lack of use of goal-line technology in the women’s game following her side’s 5-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Despite taking an early lead through Maika Hamano, Chelsea were pulled back when a ‘ghost goal’ from Tottenham’s Amanda Nildén levelled the tie. Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton insisted that the ball did not cross the line. However, referee Emily Heaslip allowed the goal to stand, booking Hampton for contesting the goal.
Bompastor believes that implementing technology in the women’s game is critical to supporting referees with decision-making while questioning the lack of use of technology.
“I just think in this type of situation, we just need to help the referees,” she said, following her side’s victory.
“From what I was watching, it’s all difficult to say if the ball was in or out. I just feel like if the technology [is there] for the men’s game why don’t we have the same?
“I think it will help the referees, and for the assistant referee, I think that’s a hard call to make. If you are very sure 100 percent the ball was in, yeah you can make the call. If you’re unsure, it’s really difficult, but that’s the way it is. The referee makes a decision; we have to accept that.
“If the technology is on, we should use it. It’s about having a budget – it costs money. If we want to look professional, we just have to have the same thing as the men’s game.”
Currently, Goal-Line Technology and VAR are not compulsory in the WSL because many teams host their fixtures at non-league grounds where the technology is not readily available. Several clubs previously told ESPN paying for instillation is an added cost that teams cannot add to their stringent budgets.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Robert Vilahamn echoed Bompastor’s comments, adding: “VAR or goal-line technology, if we can get it right and not lose the momentum of the game, bring it right in – just make sure we don’t disrupt the games too much,” he said.
“But goal-line technology is a good thing, it’s a quick decision, so why not?”
After the questionable goal stood, a Tottenham own-goal gave Chelsea the lead again before Guro Reiten missed her penalty. However, summer signing Sandy Baltimore was on hand to net the rebound. Tottenham’s Eveliina Summanen scored from a set piece, hoping to give her side a way back into the game; however, it was not enough to overturn Chelsea’s clinical display,
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd secured a brace to complete the evening, taking her to the top of the Golden Boot race with three goals and two assists from four games.
The Blues head into the international break with four wins in as many games, sitting second in the WSL table, while Spurs, who have only picked up a win and a draw so far, sit in eighth.