Arsenal boss Renee Slegers has called for VAR to be introduced in the women's game after a crucial penalty decision was to blame for their defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
Arsenal all but bid him farewell Women's Super League (WSL) title hopes after losing 1-0 to the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The result marked Slegers' first defeat since being in charge and now sees them ten points adrift of their London rivals.
However, a close match was decided in the 84th minute afterwards Chelsea a free kick was awarded as a result of a foul by Kim Little on Lauren James. Gunners defender Katie McCabe was shown a red card midway through the melee after reportedly abusing referee Emily Heaslip.
Guro Reiten buried the penalty with ease, but Arsenal fans immediately took to social media to claim that Little may have made first contact with the ball.
Speaking after fame, Slegers called for the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in response to rising standards across the WSL.
“The stakes are rising in women's football,” she said. “I also think it's important that the game is attractive to the fans, and VAR slows the game down and gives more breaks. But I think it will develop over time and I think we should have it.”
Commenting on McCabe's dismissal, Slegers confirmed it was caused by “a conversation between Katie (McCabe) and the referee” and that she “hadn't spoken to Katie (McCabe) yet”.
“I'm very happy with the progress so far that I haven't lost a game and I think that says something about where we are as a team,” Slegers added. “I think we played against a top team today, and we played a very tight game and it was going to go one way or the other. It could have been a 0-0 game, or a 1-1 game. So , I think we have a pretty solid foundation.
“I think the players feel that too. 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. of the game, but now we have to let's move forward”.
“I think it was a top game in women's football. So overall, if I distance myself from my role, I think it was a good game for women's football.
“I think we play very good football at times, and what was missing today was the goals. We created one or two pretty good chances to score today, and you're not going to get many against Chelsea.”