Sonia Bompastor: Chelsea boss slams VAR as Katie McCabe avoids red card for hair pull

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor said her players “do not deserve this level of refereeing” after Arsenal’s Katie McCabe was not shown a red card for pulling Alyssa Thompson’s hair in their Champions League quarter-final match.

As the Blues scored the goal that made it 3-2 in stoppage time and were chasing the final equalizer, McCabe reached out and pulled Thompson’s hair.

McCabe avoided a yellow card as the American winger surged forward and the video assistant referee (VAR) did not advise referee Frida Mia Klarlund. to investigate the incident.

Bompastor was shown a yellow card for angrily protesting the decision and then a red card for continuing his anger – but refused to leave the touchline as Arsenal went on to progress to the semi-finals.

The Frenchwoman came prepared with her mobile phone so she could show a replay of the incident as she gave a heated interview to BBC Two.

“For me this is clearly a red card for the Arsenal player. He’s pulling Alyssa Thompson’s hair,” Bompastor said.

“If VAR can’t control this situation, I don’t know why we have VAR.

“When I think it should be an Arsenal player who should get a red card, I’m the one who gets a red card.”

Shortly after taking office, McCabe posted on Instagram: “I just want to clarify that I was actually reaching for the shirt. I would never want to pull someone’s hair. Full respect to Thompson.”