Chelsea Manager Emma Hayes Praises Improving WSL Refereeing Standards
By Ali Rampling
Chelsea women's manager Emma Hayes praised the performance of the officials following her side's 3-3 draw with title rivals Manchester City, insisting that the overall standard of refereeing is improving in the Women's Super League.
The quality of officiating in the WSL has often been under the spotlight, and has received heavy criticism from all corners this season, as the standard of refereeing has struggled to keep up with the rapid rise to professionalism in the women's game.
While the league went fully professional in 2018, referees employed for WSL matches are not yet full-time officials. Rebecca Welch works in the NHS, and Emily Heaslip runs her own sports massage company.
Welch was in the middle for City and Chelsea's thrilling 3-3 draw, and Hayes was full of praise for her performance.
Speaking after the game, Hayes said: "I thought it was officiated really well. I think the standard of officiating is improving week in, week out, contrary to what everyone thinks.
"I think the quality that the FA are doing and the work they're doing with part time officials is really showing and I thought the person in the middle had a brilliant game."
Hayes did admit that Ellen White's opening goal for Manchester City was offside, but stated technology would have resolved the decision.
"That's where VAR should be in the game," the Chelsea manager added.
Manchester United boss Casey Stoney has been particularly vocal about refereeing throughout the season, asking: "Why do we bother? The players deserve more," following a contentious decision that cost her side three points against Reading.
The Royals were awarded a penalty after Katie Zelem headed the ball clear from a free kick, with the referee incorrectly adjudging the ball to hit Zelem's raised arm. The clip went viral and sparked debate about the level of officiating in the league.
Speaking on the Offside Rule podcast, Reading midfielder Fara Williams was similarly critical of the refereeing in the WSL.
"I think throughout the WSL this season the referees have been below par," Williams said.
"People work hard every single day now, and probably even harder than they did 10 years ago to try and make this game the game that everybody wants to see but I feel like they [referees] are ruining peoples games."
The Athletic reported that the FA's 'Game Plan for Growth' has been implemented in the women's game, with the same evaluation method for match officials used in the WSL as is used in the Premier League, suggesting that where refereeing is concerned, the league is moving in the right direction.