Carter demands Prem standard refereeing in the WSL after ‘frustrating’ red card for Birmingham during loss to Leicester
DARREN CARTER has criticised refereeing standards in the women’s top tier after Birmingham’s successful appeal against a ‘frustrating’ red card.
And the St Andrew’s boss hopes talks with Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb, who oversees refs in the WSL, will lead to better officiating.
Carter, 38, was speaking days after Birmingham had a red card against Emily Ramsey rescinded.
The 21-year-old keeper, currently on from Manchester United, was sent off in the 26th minute of Blues’ clash with Midlands rivals Leicester.
And it was a game Carter’s club, who are battling to avoid relegation from the league, went on to lose 2-1.
The interim Birmingham gaffer, whose team play Tottenham later, said: “Last Sunday’s scenario unfortunately, came down to a lack of knowledge on the rule which is unbelievable.
“But for us as coaches and managers we can only give our feedback on what we see and what we feel.
“And it works the other way with match officials speaking to us and how we can help and aid in that.
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“We as WSL clubs adhere to Premier League standards. The officiating has to be at that standard.
“You can’t allow it not to be and this is the frustrating thing because we want to push the women’s game forward.”
Carter’s reflections came hours before a controversial moment during Chelsea’s duel with Arsenal during which the title-holders saw a handball in the penalty area go unpunished.
And the incident led Blues Emma Hayes to question how ‘the best official in the league’ missed the ‘biggest decision’ during the match.
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Last February the FA said it had no plans to bring full-time referees into the women’s top-flight for three years at the very least.
Back then Joanna Stimpson, the FA’s manager of officiating in the women’s game, said the introduction of full-time match officials would require an ‘injection of income’.
Carter remains optimistic officiating levels will improve following his discussions with Steinhaus-Webb.
The Germany-born ref, 42, was appointed as the first women’s select group director of Professional Game Match Officials last August.
Steinhaus-Webb is also the first woman to have worked as a referee in the top-flight of men’s football in Germany.
Carter added: “The conversation (with Bibiana) was mainly based on how officiating (could be) better and that will come from feedback from managers, from players and from referees.
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“I understand that funding is an issue and it’s a tough, tough job for her.
“I’ve got complete trust in Bibiana. She’s very passionate about that.
“We’ve got to help officials and hopefully they can take that on board and we will see an improvement.”