Inconsistent technology use hurts UWCL

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has criticised the inconsistent use of technology within the UEFA Women’s Champions League after being left incensed by a number of choices that went towards his aspect in a 1-0 loss at Bayern Munich of their quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday.

VAR was launched to the competitors from the quarterfinal stage onward final 12 months, having beforehand solely been used for the ultimate. The use of goalline technology, nevertheless, is non-obligatory and the prices have to be lined by the host workforce.

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“When we look at this competition and we’re thinking about taking the next step for it, it highlights a couple of issues,” Eidevall stated. “One, VAR is only introduced in the quarterfinals — with referees that… I don’t know if that VAR referee has ever used VAR before.”

Referee Ivana Projkovska had officiated with VAR earlier than and the VAR on obligation, Bartosz Frankowski, was skilled in his position.

Bayern opted to not use goalline technology for Tuesday’s match and Arsenal have been left annoyed when Stina Blackstenius had a second-half effort cleared off the goalline, though it seemed to be a profitable clearance from Bayern’s Saki Kumagai

“Secondly, goalline technology is something you can use at that stage of the competition, just like the group stage, but it’s not compulsory,” Eidevall continued. “Today goalline technology was not in use because Bayern Munich chose not to pay for it.

“When we go to the Emirates [for the second leg] subsequent week, Arsenal select to pay for goalline technology as a result of we predict that is the precise factor to do to make sure a good competitors. I believe it is an issue for the competitors that not each sport has the identical degree of technology in serving to the officers take the precise choices.

“It’s not Bayern’s fault. It’s within their rights to take that decision but I think we can all agree it’s very weird that you play at a level in the competition and all of a sudden it comes down to the host club whether you’re going to fund technology that is going to be used by both teams.”

Eidevall additionally took intention on the use of VAR on the Allianz Arena.

Arsenal had an enchantment for handball within the Bayern field waved away within the first half, whereas Eidevall additionally cited a possible penalty for a shirt pull on Rafaelle Souza as she went up for a header within the second.

“Part of me is angry because obviously VAR was not working in the arena tonight,” he stated. “Otherwise, it must be someone sitting there who is not looking at the pictures because it’s clear and obvious penalty situations — two of them. I think that’s unacceptable.”

Arsenal will try and overturn the 1-0 deficit from Lea Schuller’s first-half aim once they host Bayern within the quarterfinal second leg subsequent Wednesday.