Arsenal women's boss fumes at UEFA for not making goal-line technology mandatory

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall hit out at UEFA for failing to make goal-line technology compulsory in the women’s Champions League after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich.

Lea Schuller scored the only goal of the game in the first half but the Gunners thought they had equalised in the second when Stina Blackstenius saw an effort cleared off the line.

While VAR was in use at the Allianz Arena, goal-line technology is not a mandatory requirement and was not available to the officials.

Eidevall also criticised the use of VAR and claimed his side should have been awarded two penalties.

‘When we look at this competition and we’re thinking about taking the next step for it, it highlights a couple of issues,’ Eidevall said. ‘One: VAR is only introduced in the quarter-finals.

‘I don’t know if that VAR referee has ever used VAR before. Secondly: goal line technology is something you can use at that stage of the competition, just like the group stage, but it’s not compulsory.

'Today goal line technology was not in use because Bayern Munich chose not to pay for it. When we go to the Emirates next week, Arsenal choose to pay for goal line technology because we think that’s the right thing to do to ensure a fair competition.

‘I think it’s a problem for the competition that not every game has the same level of technology in helping the officials take the right decisions.

‘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.’

Arsenal’s first penalty appeal came in the first half when Caitlin Foord saw a shot blocked by the hand of Glodis Viggosdottir before an alleged shirt-pull on Rafaelle before Blackstenius’ header was cleared off the line.

The Gunners were also guilty of missing numerous chances, with Foord hitting the post and Williamson seeing another effort cleared off the line.

‘Part of me is proud because I think the performance was really strong coming to Allianz Arena.

‘Part of me is disappointed with the result, that we can’t be more efficient with our chances. Part of me is angry because obviously VAR was not working in the arena tonight.

‘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.’