Bompastor Wants Better Refs for Women's Football After Chelsea Have Two Goals Chalked Off Against Arsenal

A North London Derby with a Bitter Aftertaste

Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners against Chelsea in the first leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final on 24 March 2026, but the scoreline only tells half the story. Chelsea had two goals disallowed and hit the post twice, leaving manager Sonia Bompastor fuming at the officiating and calling for wholesale change in how the women's game is treated.

The match at the Emirates was historic before a ball was even kicked. It was the first ever UWCL clash between two clubs from the same city. What followed was a proper spectacle, albeit one marred by decisions that left the Chelsea camp seething.

What Actually Happened

Chelsea started brightly and struck the woodwork twice in the opening stages, looking every bit the side that fancied their chances. But it was Arsenal who drew first blood when Stina Blackstenius netted her first Champions League goal since last season's final in the 22nd minute. Chloe Kelly doubled the lead ten minutes later, opening her 2025/26 scoring account.

Lauren James pulled one back for Chelsea on 66 minutes, but any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out when Alessia Russo made it 3-1 in the 76th minute. Russo's strike was her eighth of this UWCL campaign, breaking the record for the most goals scored by an English player in a single UEFA women's club competition season. She was deservedly named Player of the Match.

Kim Little also hit a personal milestone, becoming only the seventh player to reach 90 UEFA women's club competition appearances.

The Controversy

Here is where it gets spicy. Chelsea had not one but two goals ruled out by Romanian referee Alina Pesu. Veerle Buurman's headed effort was disallowed for an alleged foul on Laia Codina, and Kadeisha Buchanan saw her goal chalked off for a foul on Anneke Borbe. VAR reviewed both incidents and upheld the on-field decisions each time.

Former England captain Steph Houghton, commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, called the Buurman decision "outrageous". Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze was equally unimpressed.

"I don't think any single player on the pitch thought that was a foul to be honest, apart from the ref."

Bompastor's Demand for Change

Bompastor did not hold back in her post-match press conference, making a broader point about the standard of officiating in the women's game.

"When you are playing the quarter-final of the Champions League, you need to respect the women's game more, you need to respect the players more because they work hard every week to put a good performance on the pitch."

She went further, suggesting that if the women's game cannot produce officials of the required standard, organisers should look elsewhere.

"If that has to be coming from the men's game, then maybe. If it is coming from the women's game, then [use] the best ones."

It is worth noting this is not an isolated grievance for Bompastor. She previously raised concerns about a controversial decision in Chelsea's earlier UWCL tie against Barcelona involving Catarina Macario. VAR is available in the Champions League but still not used in the WSL domestically, which adds another layer to the debate about investment in the women's game.

Where Does This Leave the Tie?

Chelsea face a 3-1 deficit heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on 1 April 2026 (21:00 CET). It is a steep hill to climb, but given they had two goals scrubbed off and hit the post twice, this tie could easily have been level. Bompastor will be hoping for a fairer shake of the stick on home turf.

Whether you agree with the decisions or not, Bompastor raises a legitimate point. If the women's game is to be taken seriously at the highest level, the officiating needs to match the occasion. Two contentious calls in a Champions League quarter-final is not a good look for anyone.

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