Stoney questions ‘atrocious’ refereeing as Man Utd lose to top-three rivals Arsenalon March 19, 2021 at 10:19 pm

Arsenal boost their hopes of a Champions League place next season by beating Manchester United in the Women’s Super League.

But Stoney believed her players – Lauren James in particular – were the victims of overly aggressive tackles by Arsenal and criticised referee Amy Fearn, who sent off Gunners forward Beth Mead shortly after the hour mark for a second bookable offence.

“How you can have somebody fouled and fouled and fouled and fouled and we do nothing?” Stoney told BT Sport.

“I thought the referee was atrocious at best tonight and that’s not an excuse for my team losing but we’ve got to improve the officiating in this league, we really have to because if Lauren James reacts to any of those she ends up off the pitch. She gets no protection. It’s disappointing.”

The standard of refereeing in women’s football has come under increasing scrutiny, with all officials in England’s top two divisions part-time.

Former London Bees boss Lee Burch, ex-England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis and Wales international Natasha Harding are among those to criticise officiating this season, but in February the Football Association said it had no plans to introduce full-time referees for at least three years.

Defeat all but ends United’s chances of challenging top two Chelsea and Manchester City for the WSL title as they are nine points behind the leaders with five fixtures left.

The battle for a place in the top three and a European campaign in 2021-22 now appears to be between Arsenal and Manchester United, with fifth-placed Everton 10 points behind United.

Stoney’s side dominated possession after going behind, but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, with teenager James guilty of missing the best chance when she blasted over from just inside the box.

Wubben-Moy’s thumping header early in the second half gave the Gunners a cushion before Mead’s second yellow card for a lunge on Lucy Staniforth made for a nervy final 30 minutes.

Arsenal’s next match is the north London derby against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 27 March, while Manchester United host struggling West Ham on the same day.

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