Referee Lisa Benn Alleges Misconduct and Retaliation by PGMOL Coach

Lisa Benn, a referee in the Women’s Super League, has alleged that she lost her position as an international official after raising concerns about inappropriate behavior from a referee coach during a game.

In a statement presented at an employment tribunal in London on Monday, Benn accused Steve Child, a coach with Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and a former Premier League assistant referee, of “forcefully pushing” her during a tournament held to train staff on video assistant referees (VAR) in March 2023, which is not utilized in women’s matches.

Benn explained that following her complaint, she noticed a significant decline in the recommendations provided by PGMOL, which ultimately resulted in her exclusion from FIFA’s international referee roster. At the time of her disclosure, she had been assured by Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer, and Bibi Steinhaus-Webb, who was then leading the women’s referees, that she would not face repercussions for coming forward.

During the tribunal, it was revealed that the incident occurred after a serious injury delayed the game schedule. Benn stated that Child urged her to expedite the game’s start and physically grabbed her arm, pushing her onto the pitch. She described her frustration during a contentious match, wherein Child instructed a fourth official to tell her to “kill the game.” In response, Benn asserted her authority by stating, “don’t tell me how to referee,” and directed an expletive towards Child.

Benn emphasized, “I am a trusted referee, I officiate at the highest level – this was an under-19s game.” She expressed her belief that Child acted with a sense of superiority and would not have treated a male referee in such a manner. When questioned by PGMOL’s representative, Jesse Crozier, regarding the possibility of Child using a gentler approach, Benn firmly rejected this notion, stating, “I have seen him act that way with other female referees, but never with male referees.”

After the game concluded, she recounted how Child grabbed her arm again and ominously remarked, “your card has been marked,” noting his visibly agitated demeanor at the time.

Crozier challenged Benn’s account, suggesting that such an incident would have been witnessed by others at the training event, a claim Benn refuted. The tribunal proceedings are set to continue.