Bompastor disappointed at missed McCabe red card by VAR

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor (right) is sent off after receiving a second yellow card by referee Frida Klarlund during the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final, second leg match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Wednesday April 1, 2026 <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor (right) is sent off after receiving a second yellow card by referee Frida Klarlund during the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final, second leg match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Wednesday April 1, 2026 (Image: PA)
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Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor expressed frustration at VAR for the second week in a row. She said Arsenal's Katie McCabe should have received a red card in second-half stoppage time for pulling Alyssa Thompson's hair.

After the first leg, Bompastor was unhappy with the Video Assistant Referee's call. The referee did not overturn a foul given against Veerle Buurman on Laia Codina. If overturned, Chelsea would have gone into halftime 2-1 down instead of 2-0. Arsenal went on to win the match 3-1.

She protested the decision not to show a card to both the referee, Frida Klarlund, and the fourth official, which resulted in two yellow cards being shown to the Chelsea manager in quick succession.

After the game, she spoke at length about how the VAR had missed a clear-cut red card.

"I think it was clear for everyone [the hair pull], and everyone was able to see the video [of the incident].

"I had one of my players who had their hair pulled. I can understand sometimes that the referee can't see that. But I don't understand why the VAR is not checking that situation.

"It's not the first time now [that VAR have missed an incident], it also happened one week ago.

"Why are they not going back to check and make a clear call on that situation?

"The impact it had on Alyssa Thompson is that she was emotional. When you are playing football, and someone pulls your hair, it is not nice at all.

"I think it is not good enough, and at the end of it all, I am the one who ends up with a red card when I think the Arsenal player should be the one who ends up with the red card.

"What is VAR doing in these games? If we have it, then why are we not checking these types of situations? That is something I do not understand, and it is not good enough.

"We lost the first leg and did not score enough today, that is why we are not qualified [to the semi finals], but I think tonight we are speaking too much about the referees, and that was also the case last week.

"I'm being really frustrated and upset, but it is not only for me, but also for the players because they deserve more respect for the performance that they put in.

"I know that Nadine Keßler [UEFA Women's Head of Football] was here today to watch the game, and we need to do a much better job."

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