West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner expressed her frustration with the officials following her team’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. Despite goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Erin Cuthbert securing the win for the Blues, the Hammers were denied a legitimate goal by Honoka Hayashi and had another called back incorrectly for offside. Skinner criticized the lack of VAR in women’s football and called for improvements in officiating standards.
Skinner emphasized the need for accountability and fairness in refereeing decisions, stating that apologies after the fact do not change the outcome of the game. She praised her players for a strong performance but lamented the lack of points as a result of poor officiating. Skinner reiterated the importance of introducing VAR and goal-line technology to ensure accurate results in women’s football and help the game progress further.
With the women’s game gaining popularity and financial investment, Skinner’s calls for improved officiating may become more urgent. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has also voiced her support for implementing VAR in women’s domestic football. As West Ham prepares for a crucial match against Brighton, Skinner’s criticisms highlight the ongoing need for improvement in the women’s game.
