Women’s Premier League: Chelsea’s Sonia Bombastor calls for a change in the rules regarding the treatment of goalkeepers

Bombastor, 45, spent an excellent first year coaching Chelsea, winning the domestic treble and going through the Women’s Premier League season unbeaten.

This year has been even more difficult, as the Blues are nine points behind leaders Manchester City and face their first season since 2018-19 without being crowned champions.

“We aim to always be at the forefront and play hard,” she added. “Sometimes, as much as we want to do it, some things don’t allow us to.

“If a goalkeeper falls to the ground, you have to ask every player to stay on the field and not let him talk to the coach. It should be simple.”

Manchester United goalkeeper Fallon Tullis-Joys fell on Sunday with no one around her in the 25th minute when her team was trailing the London City Lionesses and was under constant pressure.

While she was being looked after for about two minutes, several United players went to the sidelines to have a drink and receive instructions from the coaching staff.

Three minutes later, Jess Park equalized.

In fairness to United, their boss Mark Skinner has also suggested the practice needs to be addressed, previously saying: “From my perspective, I’m happy to explore it because we encounter it regularly ourselves.”

Such incidents are common in the WSL – and Bombastor agreed with Slegers that they hurt the attractiveness of the competition.

She added: “We have to understand that the fans come to watch us on the field.” “They want to see a lot of rhythm, a lot of play time because that’s part of the entertainment as well.”

The International Football Association Board (Ifab) has recognized this practice as a problem, but has yet to agree on a solution.