VAR is Ruining the Women Super League

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is not the solution to the refereeing issues plaguing the Women's Super League (WSL).

Manchester United and West Ham both suffered from contentious decisions this weekend that could have been resolved with technology, but the Premier League requires more than just VAR to address its issues.

VAR has faced significant criticism since its introduction into football, often sparking more controversy than it resolves. Despite calls for its removal, there is increasing demand for its implementation in England's Women's Super League (WSL), especially following incidents like the one witnessed over the weekend.

In a match against Chelsea, relegation-threatened West Ham had a well-executed goal disallowed when Honoka Hayashi appeared to be clearly onside before scoring. Manager Rehanne Skinner expressed frustration with the decision, stating, "It's not good enough. If that's how I operated in my job, I wouldn't be in my job." She emphasized the need for improved officiating and raised the possibility of using VAR to ensure correct decisions.

While reflecting on Manchester United's defeat to rivals Manchester City, manager Marc Skinner also considered the potential introduction of VAR to address officiating errors. Skinner highlighted that the goal that broke the deadlock in the match should have been ruled out for offside, acknowledging that VAR could have corrected this and other similar errors. However, he emphasized that while VAR may address specific mistakes, it is not the ultimate solution to the broader officiating challenges confronting the Women's Super League (WSL).

Bigger issue at hand

Before discussing the implementation of VAR, the Women's Super League (WSL) needs to address the fact that its officials are still part-time. While these officials demonstrate dedication and professionalism in their roles, it's challenging for individuals to excel in a job they don't perform on a full-time basis.

This aspect should be the primary focus in addressing officiating issues. Rehanne Skinner emphasized this point on Sunday, stating that the lack of professionalism "has just got to change." Izzy Christiansen, the former England midfielder providing punditry for Sky Sports during West Ham's defeat to Chelsea, echoed this sentiment.

West Ham goal ruled as offside1Christiansen emphasized the importance of investing in and developing officials to enable them to thrive professionally. She advocated for providing officials with more training and resources to enhance their decision-making abilities on the pitch. Christiansen expressed a preference for improving officiating professionalism rather than immediately implementing VAR.

'Ludicrous' and 'embarrassing'

There are additional measures that the Women's Super League (WSL) can take to enhance officiating standards. Notably, the league currently lacks goal-line technology, a tool that has been utilized in men's football for a decade. Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has criticized the absence of goal-line technology in the women's game, describing it as "embarrassing."

Hayes raised concerns after Guro Reiten's goal was disallowed against Tottenham, despite clear evidence that the ball had crossed the line. She questioned why the league is not investing in such technology, highlighting its successful implementation in other competitions, including the Premier League and the Women's World Cup. Hayes emphasized the need for goal-line technology in the WSL, especially considering its absence in crucial matches like semi-finals.

Inconsistencies

Inconsistency in the use of technology presents a significant challenge for women's football. VAR and goal-line technology are often applied irregularly, particularly in high-profile matches during the latter stages of tournaments held in large stadiums.

Even in prestigious competitions like the Champions League, there is a lack of consistency in the rules regarding technology. Last season, during a match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich, it was revealed that goal-line technology was not mandatory in the tournament but rather optional. Consequently, while VAR was utilized at the Allianz Arena, goal-line technology was not in place.

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall attributed the absence of goal-line technology to Bayern Munich's decision not to invest in it for the match. He stressed the importance of uniform technology standards across all matches to uphold fairness and integrity in competitions. This issue, although specific to the Champions League, underscores the broader inconsistency faced by clubs in women's football in England, Europe, and beyond.

Plenty to consider

The availability of goal-line technology and VAR in stadiums is a significant consideration. Many women's teams play in smaller stadiums, often shared with lower-division or non-league men's clubs throughout the season. Implementing technology in these arenas would require adaptation by the Women's Super League (WSL).

Hayes mentioned the potential use of VAR-lite, similar to what was utilized at Kingsmeadow, as opposed to the version employed in men's top-level matches. The effectiveness of such a system on a regular basis remains speculative, but it would need to be a viable solution capable of positively impacting matches and providing adequate support to officials.

Furthermore, if officials were full-time, they could undergo more extensive training to utilize technology like VAR effectively. This highlights another challenge—many officials had limited experience with VAR when it was introduced at the Women's World Cup in 2019, leading to errors despite its presence. Ultimately, providing officials with sufficient time and resources to refine their skills is crucial.

Vital step

The Women's Super League (WSL) stands as one of the premier leagues in women's football, characterized by professionalism, lucrative broadcast deals, and a high-quality product that attracts players from around the world. However, as highlighted by Rehanne Skinner, there are areas where significant improvement is needed. Skinner emphasized that the league still has much room for growth and development, particularly in addressing recurring issues such as officiating.

While those officiating matches are doing their best, they require more support to enhance the league's potential further. Transitioning officials to full-time roles emerges as a crucial step forward for the league, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and support to improve the overall standard of officiating.