Chelsea manager complains about VAR after Arsenal's 3-1 win

Bompastor ignores Chelsea player's red card escape in post-match comments

Mar. 25, 2026 at 9:35am

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Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor criticized the VAR decision that disallowed her team's first goal in their 3-1 loss to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final, but failed to address a missed red card for a dangerous challenge by Chelsea's Kadeisha Buchanan.

Why it matters

The VAR controversy overshadowed Arsenal's impressive performance and goals, including a long-range strike from Chloe Kelly. The missed red card for Buchanan could have a major impact on the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

The details

Bompastor argued the disallowed goal for a minimal touch on an Arsenal defender was a poor decision, but did not mention that the initial free-kick should not have been awarded. Late in the game, Buchanan made a dangerous, studs-up challenge on Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe that should have resulted in a red card, but the referee and VAR took no action.

  • The match was played on March 25, 2026.

The players

Sonia Bompastor

The manager of Chelsea's women's team.

Kadeisha Buchanan

A Chelsea player who made a dangerous challenge that should have resulted in a red card.

Chloe Kelly

An Arsenal player who scored a long-range goal in the match.

Anneke Borbe

The Arsenal goalkeeper who was the victim of Buchanan's dangerous challenge.

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What they’re saying

“When you are playing the quarter-final of the Champions League you need to respect the women's game more. You need to respect the players because they work hard every week to put a good performance on the pitch.”

— Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea manager

“The first goal is a goal. I don't see with the VAR how you cannot allow that goal. It's always the same. When you go to them and you ask them to check and to make sure they make the right decision, they just always say 'Yeah, we are checking' but they make the wrong decision and nothing changes.”

— Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea manager

What’s next

The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Chelsea and Arsenal will be played at Stamford Bridge next week. Kadeisha Buchanan's potential suspension for the red card challenge could have a major impact on the outcome.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges with VAR implementation in women's football, as well as the need for consistent and fair officiating to protect player safety. Chelsea's complaints about the disallowed goal overshadowed Arsenal's impressive performance and the dangerous play that went uncalled.