Liverpool manager, Matt Beard, discussed the clips submitted by the club to the refereeing board in the hope of improving standards.
The refereeing standards within the Women’s Super League (WSL) have been the victim of criticism for some time after numerous controversies.
Despite the WSL being a professional football league it does not have full-time referees, VAR or goal-line technology.
In the press conference ahead of Man City, the Reds manager expressed his concerns over refereeing standards in the WSL.
He said: “We’ve sent clips in, and we’ve had feedback on that.
“They’ve been made aware by going to Rebecca Welsh so hopefully something they will look out for as a team of officials.
“There’s a lot of stuff that goes on off the ball that once the ball’s moved the referee doesn’t see and those are the things we’re asking the 4th official to see.”
Liverpool suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Man City at the Joie Stadium and greatly missed star forward Olivia Smith who served her suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards.
Matt Beard said: “Most of her cards have been out of frustration where she hasn’t been protected.”
The last Merseyside derby prompted Beard to question refereeing standards after Everton women were awarded a controversial penalty that resulted in them winning the match.
He said: “I just feel we’ve been let down by the officials.
“Ultimately those decisions have cost us either a point or three points today.”
Other WSL clubs have criticised the level of refereeing and demanded goal-line technology.
In 2023, after a controversial penalty was given against Manchester United and they were denied two potential penalties, manager Marc Skinner questioned the refereeing standards.
He said: “The reality is, in that game today, we should have had two penalties.”
“The reality is we have to invest in the officials and the surrounding technology.”
Earlier this season Tottenham were awarded a goal against London rivals, Chelsea, that appeared to not completely cross the goal line.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said: “In this type of situation we just need to help the referee.
“I just feel like if the technology is on and available for the men’s game, why don’t we have the same? If we want to look professional, we have to have the same thing as the men’s game.”
As the women’s game in England continues to grow rapidly, questions would need to be answered surrounding refereeing standards and introducing VAR and goal-line technology.
(Featured image courtesy of Alamy Ltd)
