Allegations and Denials: The Case of Referee Lisa Benn

Lisa Benn, a referee known for her role in the 2022 Women’s European Championship, has made serious allegations against the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). She claims that after she reported an incident involving an assistant referee coach who allegedly “manhandled” her, she was unjustly removed from FIFA’s international officials list.

At an employment tribunal, Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer of PGMOL, refuted claims that Benn lost her position due to her grievance. He stated that Benn’s drop from fifth to sixth in the nominations was a result of her performance relative to other officials.

Webb explained that FIFA typically accepts only five referees for the women’s game but noted that PGMOL had requested a sixth for the season, based on the anticipated growth of the women’s game. He expressed disappointment that FIFA did not accept this request but insisted that Benn’s ranking was fair and reflective of her performance compared to her peers.

The incident in question occurred during a VAR training tournament in March 2023, where Benn alleges that Steve Child, a former Premier League assistant referee, forcefully pushed her and made a threatening remark. Child has denied these allegations, and a PGMOL investigation concluded that there was not enough evidence to pursue disciplinary action.

Subsequent to this incident, Benn reported feeling intimidated by Child during a training camp in August 2023. She raised her concerns with Bibi Steinhaus-Webb, then the head of women’s referees at PGMOL. Following the submission of PGMOL’s FIFA nominations, Benn learned in December that she had not been selected.

During the tribunal, Benn’s lawyer, Carla Fischer, suggested that Benn’s ranking was a direct consequence of her complaints regarding inappropriate remarks made by a male coach. Webb contested this assertion, stating it was unfounded.

In a later meeting, Benn highlighted a culture of fear among officials regarding reporting grievances, a sentiment Webb acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of open communication and a supportive environment for referees.

Webb remarked on the significance of the FIFA list to referees, noting the pride they take in their roles and the competitive nature of rankings within the PGMOL. The tribunal proceedings are ongoing, shedding light on issues of accountability and professional treatment in women’s football.