A shocking allegation of misconduct and retaliation has emerged in the world of football officiating. WSL referee Lisa Benn's career is on the line as she takes on PGMOL in a high-stakes employment tribunal.
Benn claims that her career trajectory was significantly altered after she spoke up about an incident involving a referee coach, Steve Child, at a PGMOL training event. The incident, which took place in March 2023, allegedly involved Child physically pushing Benn onto the pitch, an action she describes as "manhandling." But here's where it gets controversial: Benn believes this complaint led to her being overlooked for international assignments.
According to Benn's testimony, she was assured by PGMOL's chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb, and his wife Bibi Steinhaus-Webb, that there would be no repercussions for reporting the incident. However, she noticed a change in how PGMOL recommended her, which resulted in her missing out on a coveted spot on FIFA's international referee list.
The alleged incident occurred during a tournament organized by PGMOL to train officials on VAR, a system not yet implemented in the women's game. After a delay due to an injury, Child allegedly insisted on a prompt start, physically pushing Benn onto the field. The situation escalated during the game, with Child instructing a fourth official to tell Benn to control the game, to which she responded assertively, defending her refereeing skills.
Benn's account highlights a potential gender disparity, suggesting Child's behavior would have been different with a male referee. This raises the question: Is there a double standard in how female referees are treated?
PGMOL's representative, Jesse Crozier, offered an alternative perspective, implying Child's actions were merely guiding Benn onto the pitch. However, Benn refuted this, stating she had witnessed similar behavior from Child towards other female referees but never with male colleagues.
As the tribunal continues, the outcome remains uncertain. Will Benn's allegations be substantiated, or will PGMOL's defense prevail? The case not only impacts Benn's career but also has the potential to influence how allegations of misconduct and gender-based treatment are addressed in the world of sports officiating. And this is the part most people miss: It could set a precedent for how power dynamics and gender issues are navigated in professional sports.
