Sonia Bompastre once again targeted VAR after the system failed to review Katie McCabe’s red card for pulling Alyssa Thompson’s hair, and the Chelsea manager was booked and sent off.
Bompastre received his first yellow card late in the match for his angry protest, waving the card and yelling at the referee when McCabe was not given a penalty. VAR would have reviewed the incident, but even if it had not, it would have clearly ruled that there was no problem with the decision on the field.
Less than a minute later, Bompastre was shown a second caution and a red card for rushing onto the pitch in a quick attempt to win the ball back.
She said little about whether she deserved to be sent off, but insisted the hair-pulling incident should have been reviewed by VAR, and reiterated her doubts about the use of technology in the women’s game after similar comments were made after the first leg.
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Anton Troi reflects on Chelsea’s being kicked out of the Women’s Champions League by London rivals Arsenal.
Bompastar gets a yellow card for yelling at referee Frieda Klarlund, and is given a second yellow card.
“I was emotional at that moment, because I think it’s obvious to everyone,” Bompastre said.
“It’s probably understandable that the referee can’t see it sometimes, but I don’t understand – and it’s not the first time – why doesn’t VAR check that situation?
“Why don’t they go back and look at that and give clear instructions on that? Because the impact it had on my player was that she was emotional.
Bompastor watched the final moments of the Women’s Champions League quarter-final from the side of the tunnel.
“In the end I’m the one who gets the red card, but I think the Arsenal player should get the red card.
“What is VAR doing in these games? If you have VAR, why aren’t you checking these situations? I don’t understand it and it’s not enough.”
She told BBC Sport that Thompson was upset by the incident, adding: “She was crying.”
“She tried her best on the pitch in both games, but it wasn’t enough. It’s not good to have someone pulling your hair when you’re playing soccer. She was emotional about the situation and the result.”
However, McCabe said on social media that the hair-pulling was unintentional, writing: “I want to make it clear that I was actually reaching for my shirt. I would never want to pull anyone’s hair. Hats off to Thompson.”
Arsenal manager Lenny Sleggers added: “I looked back at the still images. I wasn’t on the pitch when it happened, but I saw Katie go to apologize to Alyssa. I’m assuming it wasn’t intentional, but of course it’s unfortunate. I’ll have to look back at it before I comment any further.”
Bonpastor went on to point out what mistakes referee Frieda Klarlund and VAR official Katrin Rafalski have made in the Champions League in the past.
“The referee who was officiating the match disallowed Chelsea’s ball two years ago as offside, but the ball was onside,” she said.
“I think she was the one who gave Real Madrid a penalty, but the foul was outside the box.
Bompastor reacts after being shown a yellow card by referee Clarand
“And the person who was doing VAR was the same guy who canceled our goal against Barcelona when (Catalina) Macario scored the goal and it was onside.
“So I’m just wondering, why are these referees going into this game with what happened in the first leg and refereeing this game? I don’t think that’s enough.
“I’m really frustrated and upset, but I think the players deserve more respect for their performance on the pitch, not just me.”
The All-WSL Women’s Champions League quarter-final had a chaotic ending, with Arsenal winning 3-2 on aggregate, despite Chelsea winning 1-0 on the night.
The Gunners will face either Lyon or Wolfsburg in the semi-finals, which begins at the end of April. Two of Europe’s leading players will meet in the second leg on Thursday night.
Analysis: Bompastor’s frustration with officials’ mistakes is understandable
James Green of Sky Sports News:
“Sonia Bompastre is incredibly frustrated right now. The fact that VAR didn’t intervene on the most obvious hair-pulling, intentional or not, is incredible. Ironically, it wasn’t even given as a foul. It happened right in front of Bompastre. I understand the frustration, but it didn’t just happen last night.”
“It’s also about last week’s first leg. After last week’s game, she said there needed to be more respect for the women’s game after there were problems with VAR and Fer Bulman’s goal was ruled out for a foul.”
“She talked about how the referee was the same one who made the mistake in the previous Champions League game against Chelsea, including the Real Madrid penalty outside the penalty area in 2023 and the goal against Barcelona in November 2025 that was ruled offside but was onside.
“So she has been the referee for the first leg and the referee for the second leg. I can understand the frustration.”
