World Football News
Lisa Benn ‘PGMOL Man-Handling’ Controversy Forces Howard Webb’s Wife to Make a Comment
Bibi Steinhaus-Webb, the world’s most senior female refereeing executive, has denied claims that WSL official Lisa Benn lost her FIFA list place because she complained about being “manhandled” by a male PGMOL coach.
Howard Webb’s Wife Bibi Steinhaus-Webb Breaks Silence on Lisa Benn’s ‘Manhandling’ Allegations at Employment Tribunal
Steinhaus-Webb, who was head of women’s referees at the time and is married to PGMOL chief Howard Webb, gave evidence at an employment tribunal on Thursday. She was directly challenged by Benn’s counsel, Carla Fischer, who suggested it was a “foregone conclusion” that Benn would be dropped from FIFA nominations because she made a harassment claim against coach Steve Child.
“That is wholly inaccurate,” Steinhaus-Webb replied.
The German official, who refereed the 2011 Women’s World Cup final, admitted she had to look up the word “manhandled” when Benn first reported the March 2023 incident at a VAR training tournament in Loughborough.
“Until that incident ‘physically manhandled’ would not have been part of my English knowledge,” she told the tribunal. “I needed to look it up. I did realise that ‘manhandled’ has a very different meaning and raised the bar than the wording ‘being pushed’ or ‘having a guiding arm.'”
Webb Also Gives Evidence
Howard Webb himself testified on Thursday, denying that Benn’s complaint influenced her ranking. He explained that PGMOL and the FA believed FIFA would accept a sixth nominee despite only requesting five names.
“Unfortunately – highly regrettably – it wasn’t,” Webb said. “But she was correctly placed sixth based on the performance factors listed. This is a competitive world in which we work and we need to rank officials against each other.”
Steinhaus-Webb insisted the incident wasn’t about sexism. “This is nothing to do with male or female. This is an assistant referee coach and a referee being at a tournament together and having an argument that included physical contact.”
Benn, 34, lost her PGMOL salary that accompanied her FIFA list place in 2023 and has never been reinstated. She now works full-time with Sussex County FA while pursuing claims including wrongful dismissal. Child denies manhandling Benn, describing his actions as “a guiding arm if anything.”
PGMOL opposes all claims. The tribunal continues.
Also read: Discrimination Rocks WSL: Who is Lisa Benn and Why Has She Taken ‘PGMOL Case’ to Employment Tribunal?
World Football News
Izzy Goodwin Signs New London City Lionesses Contract After Championship Golden Boot Heroics: Details, Duration and More
Izzy Goodwin has committed her future to London City Lionesses by signing a contract extension through summer 2028, rewarding the England U23 international forward for her pivotal role in firing the club into the WSL.
The 24-year-old joined London City in September 2024 and immediately made her mark on the Championship. She finished as the second tier’s top scorer with 16 goals while earning the Player of the Season award as the Lionesses secured promotion to the Barclays WSL.
Goodwin’s outstanding campaign saw her overtake established strikers to claim the golden boot in a competitive Championship season. Her goals proved decisive in London City’s promotion push, with the forward finding the net consistently throughout the campaign.
“I Can Call This Home”
Speaking to londoncitylionesses.com after signing her new deal, Goodwin expressed her delight at extending her stay. “I feel like this is a place that I can call home. I’m really enjoying my time here and I’m absolutely delighted to sign a new contract,” she said.
The contract extension represents a significant statement of intent from both player and club. London City have secured their star striker for the long term, while Goodwin has committed to leading the line in their maiden WSL campaign.
WSL Ambitions Clear
Goodwin outlined her immediate objectives following the contract extension. “Doing the best I can in the WSL and hopefully scoring as many goals as I can are my immediate aims. I just want to help the team win games to give us the best chance of being successful.”
The forward’s goals will be crucial as London City navigate their first season in the top flight. Newly promoted sides often struggle to replicate their Championship form in the WSL, but Goodwin’s proven scoring ability gives the Lionesses genuine hope of survival.
From Championship Hero to WSL Striker
Goodwin’s journey to the WSL has been rapid. Her 16-goal haul in the Championship demonstrated she possesses the clinical finishing and movement required at the highest level. Now she faces the ultimate test, proving she can deliver against elite WSL defenses week in, week out.
The three-and-a-half-year contract suggests London City view Goodwin as a cornerstone of their long-term project. Her combination of youth, proven goalscoring and England U23 recognition makes her exactly the type of player promoted clubs need to retain as they establish themselves in the top division.
World Football News
How Long Has Ruesha Littlejohn Been Banned for After Wild Takedown as FA Deems Standard Punishment “Clearly Insufficient”
Ruesha Littlejohn will serve a five-match suspension after the FA successfully argued that the standard three-game ban for violent conduct was “clearly insufficient” following her red card incident with Leicester City‘s Hannah Cain.
The Crystal Palace midfielder was sent off in the 58th minute of a Women’s League Cup clash on November 23 after what social media described as a “WWE-style takedown” of Cain. Despite Littlejohn denying the FA’s claim that her offense warranted extended punishment, the regulatory commission upheld the decision on Friday.
The FA’s statement confirmed: “The standard punishment for violent conduct is a three-match ban, but the FA claimed that this penalty is clearly insufficient, and Ruesha Littlejohn subsequently denied this claim. The regulatory commission upheld the claim; set aside the standard punishment and imposed the five-match suspension following a hearing.”
What Actually Happened?
The incident unfolded after Leicester’s Olivia McLoughlin tangled with Crystal Palace’s Annabel Blanchard. Cain stepped in between the pair to defuse the situation, prompting Littlejohn to nudge her. Cain responded with a push to the back of the Republic of Ireland midfielder.
Littlejohn then grabbed Cain around the head and wrestled her to the ground in full view of the officials. Despite the red card, Crystal Palace still won 3-0 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
Littlejohn: “I Let My Emotions Spill Over“
Speaking at a Republic of Ireland press conference, the 35-year-old admitted she regrets the incident. “I’m quite an emotional person and player. That’s not who I want to be on the pitch, so I will learn from it and move forward,” Littlejohn said.
Ireland head coach Carla Ward defended her player while condemning the online abuse she’s received since. “She’s a human being. She’s someone’s daughter and sister. It’s not okay,” Ward said. “Some of the stuff I’ve seen this week has been disgusting.”
Ward’s comments came after Keira Walsh revealed that the majority of WSL players have received online abuse.
Fixtures Littlejohn Will Miss
The extended ban means Littlejohn will miss Crystal Palace’s WSL 2 clashes with Birmingham City, Bristol City and Sheffield United in the new year, plus their FA Cup tie with Lewes and a League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. The commission will explain its decision in writing in due course.
World Football News
What Happened to Scarlette Slater-Rowley? All About Why The Goalkeeper Was Laid Unconscious
Doncaster Rovers Belles’ match against Norton and Stockton Ancients was abandoned on Sunday after goalkeeper Scarlette Slater-Rowley suffered a serious head and neck injury following an accidental collision.
The incident occurred in the 68th minute at Millmoor with Belles trailing 2-1. Slater-Rowley was knocked unconscious after an accidental knee to the head and neck from an opposition player, with blood coming from her nose immediately raising concerns about the severity of the injury.
Doncaster Belles Goalkeeper Left Unconscious After Horrific Collision Forces Match Abandonment
Players around the incident immediately signalled for assistance, with physios from both clubs rushing to provide care. Norton and Stockton player Erin Green, a qualified doctor who came through the Belles Academy, also helped treat Slater-Rowley on the pitch.
40-Minute Wait for Ambulance
An ambulance was called immediately but took approximately 40 minutes to arrive at the ground. Slater-Rowley received treatment on the pitch for a further 20 minutes before being taken away just after 3:30pm for assessment, accompanied by Belles physio Lydia Wade.
The club confirmed officials contacted Slater-Rowley’s parents, with Wade reporting the goalkeeper was conscious and talking while awaiting an MRI scan. The lengthy delay in emergency services arriving raises questions about response times to sporting incidents.
Match Context Overshadowed
Before the injury, Norton and Stockton had dominated proceedings. Eve Marshall opened the scoring inside the first minute, before Bianca Owens doubled the visitors’ advantage with a header before the half-hour mark. Jodie Gregory pulled one back with a free-kick in the second half before the collision occurred.
Belles’ statement thanked everyone involved in the aftermath: “We wish to send our heartfelt thanks to all those involved in the aftermath of the incident, which saw medical staff alerted quickly, as well as those who carried out treatment.”
The club promised a further update on Slater-Rowley’s condition “when possible.” Belles are scheduled to visit Durham Cestria next Sunday (December 7).
Also read: Grace Fisk Update: What Has Caused The Liverpool Defender to Withdraw From England Squad?
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