Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor has raised concerns about the absence of goal-line technology in women’s football after her team’s 5-2 win over Tottenham in the Women’s Super League.
Chelsea took an early lead through Maika Hamano, but controversy struck when Tottenham’s Amanda Nilden scored a contentious goal that levelled the game.
Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, was adamant that the ball had not crossed the line, but referee Emily Heaslip allowed the goal to stand, even booking Hampton for her protests.
Replays showed the ball was clearly not over the line, sparking mass debate online over why the women’s game does not operate in the same way as the men’s.
Speaking after the game, Bompastor said: “I just think in this type of situation, we just need to help the referees.
“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?
SIX WINS FROM SIX! 💯#CFCW pic.twitter.com/Wr2kpCkFXW
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) October 20, 2024
“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.”
As it stands, neither goal-line technology or VAR is mandatory in the WSL due to many teams playing in venues that lack the necessary infrastructure.
Tottenham’s manager, Robert Vilahamn, supported Bompastor’s stance, 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.
“But goal-line technology is a good thing, it’s a quick decision, so why not?”
Following the disputed goal, an own-goal from Tottenham restored Chelsea’s lead.
Although Eveliina Summanen’s set-piece goal gave Tottenham a glimmer of hope, Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s brace to take her to the top of the Golden Boot standings was enough to get the job done.
Chelsea now head into the international break with a perfect record, having won all four of their opening games, placing them second in the WSL standings.
Meanwhile, Tottenham sit in eighth, with just a win and a draw from their first four matches.
