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Emily KeoghMar 24, 2026, 07:20 PM ET<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Based in London, Emily Keogh is ESPN’s women’s soccer correspondent, specializing in the WSL and UWCL<\/p>\n Multiple Authors<\/p>\n LONDON — Chelsea<\/a> manager Sonia Bompastor lamented the refereeing decision that ruled out a goal for her side in their 3-1 loss<\/a> at Arsenal<\/a> in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, and insisted that the women’s game deserves more respect and the best referees.<\/p>\n Veerle Buurman<\/a>‘s header was chalked off in the first half after Chelsea were already 2-0 down. Referee Alina Pesu ruled that Buurman had fouled Arsenal defender Laia Codina<\/a> in rising above her to head home. VAR did not overturn the decision.<\/p>\n Disney+ becomes new home of Women’s Champions League in Europe Disney+ will be the only place football fans can watch all 75 matches live each season.<\/a> Visit the Disney+ website to get access.<\/p>\n Chelsea did score via a second-half Lauren James<\/a> goal but it was in vain as Arsenal punished their profligacy to take control of the all-English tie.<\/p>\n “For sure the first goal is a goal,” Bompastor told a news conference after the game. “I don’t see with the VAR how you cannot allow that goal. That’s a shame, to be honest.”<\/p>\n Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze<\/a> echoed her manager’s comments.<\/p>\n “I don’t think any single player on the pitch thought that was a foul to be honest, apart from the ref,” Bronze told Disney+.<\/p>\n “I think as soon as the ref gave it, VAR are not going to overturn it. And it was disappointing because I feel like we could have swung the momentum back a little bit and then it just took a little bit longer.<\/p>\n “It would have been an important goal to score at halftime. And I think we probably could have got even more back into the game in the second half. So, that’s the momentum of games and how it goes. It’s just disappointing.”<\/p>\n Bompastor added that there was no reason given to the team for the decision not to give the goal.<\/p>\n “They just always say, ‘Yeah, we are checking’ but they make the wrong decision and nothing changed. But to be honest, when a human makes a mistake, I think you can understand a little bit more, but when there is the VAR, it’s really difficult,” she added.<\/p>\n – Arsenal’s Kelly after Chelsea goal: ‘I’m back’<\/a><\/p>\n Bompastor also referenced Chelsea believing they were on the wrong side of an officiating error when a goal from Catarina Macario<\/a> was ruled out in the 1-1 draw with Barcelona<\/a> in the League Phase.<\/p>\n Officials deemed the United States<\/a> forward to be offside, though replays suggested it was too close to call.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/r1497653_1296x729_16-9.jpg\")
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