Female Referee Claims Complaint Against Coach Cost Her FIFA Spot

A female referee in England, Lisa Benn, has alleged that her complaint against a male referee coach led to her removal from FIFA’s international referee list. Benn’s claims emerged during an employment tribunal hearing in London, where she detailed her experiences with Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

Benn contends that after reporting coach Steve Child for what she described as “manhandling,” PGMOL began to diminish her standing within the organization. She stated that her recommendations for international officiating were significantly reduced following her complaint. The incident that prompted her complaint occurred during a PGMOL-organized tournament in March 2023, which was intended to train officials on video assistant referees (VAR).

During the tribunal, Benn recounted that training was interrupted due to an injury in a game. It was at this moment that Child allegedly “grabbed her arm and forcefully pushed her onto the pitch,” insisting she resume the game promptly. Tensions escalated as Child reportedly instructed a fourth official to direct Benn to “kill the game,” which she found inappropriate. “I am a trusted referee, I referee at the highest level—this was an under-19s game,” Benn asserted in her testimony.

She expressed her frustration, claiming, “He felt superior… he manhandled me onto the field of play—he would never have done that to a male referee.” Benn noted that Child’s behavior towards her differed markedly from his interactions with male referees. “I have to female referees, yes. I haven’t to male referees,” she stated when asked about Child’s treatment of others.

In response, Jesse Crozier, representing PGMOL, suggested that Child’s actions were misinterpreted, proposing that he might have simply ushered Benn onto the pitch. Benn firmly rejected this assertion, maintaining that the encounter was aggressive and unwarranted.

The tribunal also heard that after the match, Child allegedly remarked, “your card has been marked,” which Benn interpreted as a threat. Crozier challenged Benn’s narrative, arguing that such an incident would have been witnessed by others present at the event.

As the tribunal continues to evaluate the situation, the outcome of Benn’s complaint remains undecided. This case highlights ongoing issues of gender dynamics and treatment within sports officiating, raising questions about the support systems available for female referees.

The PGMOL has not publicly commented on the specific allegations made by Benn. The implications of this case extend beyond Benn’s career, potentially impacting the representation and treatment of women in officiating roles across the board. The tribunal’s verdict will be closely watched by the sports community and beyond.