Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea: Rene Seligers calls for VAR in the WSL after goals were disallowed

Despite the euphoria of watching Alessia Russo score an 87th-minute goal to earn a 1-1 draw with champions Chelsea, Arsenal coach Renee Selegers was decisive in her assessment of the controversial decisions made against her team.

She said VAR should be introduced into the Women’s Super League to achieve “fairness”.

Eight minutes into the second half, Stina Plaxtenius thought she had canceled out Alyssa Thompson’s opener for Chelsea with a thundering shot from a corner.

But the Emirates Stadium was left in a state of confusion when play resumed as Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton took a free kick inside the box, rather than her teammates taking the kick-off.

It turned out that referee Melissa Burgin ruled that Blackstenius handled the ball, even though replays showed that the ball clearly hit her thigh.

The second “bad decision” – in the words of former England international Izzy Christiansen on Sky Sports – came when Frida Mannum scored the winner for Arsenal in the 90th minute.

That goal was disallowed for offside, and the initial replay was inconclusive.

Sligers was practical about the “big” decisions.

She said: “Great respect for the referees because it is not easy.” “We look at the video. If you ask me, we need justice and that’s why I think VAR and technology can help.

“I don’t want to go into too much detail, but there is more and more at stake in the WSL. We have to take a look at how we can develop the game in all aspects.”

VAR has been used in the later stages of the Women’s FA Cup, and has also been used in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, but there are no plans yet to introduce it to the English top flight.

While Sligers exuded calm, Christiansen adopted a more combative stance.

“Arsenal put themselves in a position that in the second half showed signs of a team very hungry to get back into the game,” she said. “What they did was exceptional from start to finish in the second half.

“They scored two goals that were disallowed. That match was supposed to end 3-1 against Arsenal.

“They were two very bad decisions. I think it cost them and they were robbed. There’s no other way to put it.”