Women's 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?
Aston Villa
Aston Villa Sign Rofiat Imuran From London City Lionesses as Nigerian Defender Commits to Permanent Deal Supporting African Talent Expansion Strategy
Aston Villa have secured defender Rofiat Imuran from London City Lionesses on permanent arrangement, establishing young Nigerian talent bringing established Women’s Super League experience and elite international credentials.
The 22-year-old defender’s two-season London City tenure combined with her Stade de Reims foundation establishes comprehensive elite-level exposure spanning multiple nations, suggesting proven quality deserving sustained professional investment supporting Villa’s championship ambitions.
Imuran’s Women’s Super League 2 title-winning contribution alongside her 10 top-flight appearances establishes credible elite English football exposure justifying her permanent acquisition. Her Nigeria senior international recognition combined with her French elite development pathway establishes genuine international prospect profile suggesting meaningful capability transcending purely domestic competition engagement, validating Natalia Arroyo’s tactical confidence in her appointment.
Elite International Experience Establishes Competitive Foundation
Imuran’s Nigeria senior representation combined with her established Women’s Super League experience establishes credible international exposure suggesting genuine prospect with proven elite-level capability. Her championship-winning first season performance combined with her consistent top-flight engagement establishes positive trajectory suggesting capable defender capable of immediate Villa contribution supporting their competitive objectives.
That international recognition combined with her demonstrated English football effectiveness establishes comprehensive foundation supporting her Villa integration.
African Talent Strategy Reflects Institutional Expansion Philosophy
Marisa Ewers’ explicit recognition that Imuran’s arrival represents “another positive step” toward “stronger connections across Africa” establishes deliberate institutional recruitment philosophy prioritising continental talent development beyond merely singular player acquisition. That strategic framework combined with Villa’s ninth summer signing establishes comprehensive squad construction supporting Arroyo’s tactical requirements whilst pursuing broader institutional expansion objectives.
This signing feels strategically important for Aston Villa’s competitive trajectory and continental development strategy. Rather than pursuing exclusively established European talent, they invest confidently in emerging African quality bringing elite international recognition and championship-winning experience.
Imuran’s permanent commitment combined with her pace and energy profile positions her as meaningful defensive addition supporting Aston Villa’s Second City derby ambitions and their broader championship campaign throughout her anticipated tenure.
Women's Football News
Mary Earps opens up on London City Lionesses revolution ahead of Man Utd WSL clash
Mary Earps is back in the WSL after two years with PSG, joining London City Lionesses as the club began assembling one of the most eye-catching squads in the women’s game.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Earps said: “I really feel like I was able to go away and work on myself for a couple of years.”
She also revealed what she missed most about England.
“I missed the English mentality and football culture. I don’t think there’s anything like playing football in England.”
A new superstar era for London City
Earps was followed through the door by Alexia Putellas, Mapi Leon, and Kadidiatou Diani, alongside established stars including Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino, and Grace Geyoro. For Earps, joining a squad full of new arrivals has created a unique atmosphere.
“It’s like everyone’s first day at school. You say ‘oh, I’m so nervous’, but everyone is nervous because everyone’s doing the same thing.”
London City finished sixth in their first WSL season and are now targeting a significant step forward after their summer recruitment.
Mary Earps faces her former club
The goalkeeper’s first competitive test comes against Manchester United on Friday, September 4 at The CopperJax Community Stadium.
“I was at Man Utd for five years. I have incredible memories there,” Earps said. “It will be a really tough game, but I’m looking forward to it and I love a challenge.“
Kick off is 7 pm, with the match live on Sky Sports.
Tottenham Dragon
London Bees Suffer Comprehensive FAWNL Cup Defeat Despite Competitive First Half Against Tottenham Under-21 Dominance
London Bees have endured a disappointing 7-1 FAWNL Cup opening fixture against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21, establishing contrasting performance narrative spanning their competitive first-half engagement and their second-half capitulation. The substantial final scoreline obscures genuine first-half quality demonstrated through their early attacking opportunity creation alongside their deserved Rebekah Wozniak opening goal, suggesting performance disparity transcending merely tactical adjustment.
Amy Liddiard’s impressive debut appearance featuring early reflexive saves combined with Daisy Beard’s dangerous free-kick delivery established credible attacking foundation suggesting London Bees possessed tactical capability contradicting their ultimate margin defeat.
That performance contrast combined with Tottenham’s second-half dominance featuring four consecutive closing-stage goals establishes narrative of established elite academy structures overwhelming developing semi-professional opposition during sustained pressure periods.
First-Half Quality Demonstrates Competitive Foundation
London Bees’ opening 45 minutes established genuine attacking threat through Che Thomas’ early breakaway opportunity, Grace Stanley’s close-range effort and Wozniak’s headed breakthrough suggesting authentic competitive engagement rather than purely ceremonial fixture participation. Their Daisy Beard crossbar strike alongside multiple Beard free-kick opportunities established pattern of dangerous attacking delivery suggesting organised tactical structure supporting meaningful offensive threat.
Liddiard’s early saves alongside their defensive organisation during competitive opening period established credible defensive foundation undermining their ultimate capitulation narrative.
Second-Half Elite Pressure Demonstrates Academy Advantage
Tottenham’s deliberate second-half control establishment combined with their four-goal closing sequence establishes pattern of experienced academy structure exploiting sustained pressure periods where emerging team players struggle managing elite tactical demands. That progression from competitive first-half equality toward comprehensive second-half dominance suggests development gap emerging during extended competitive periods rather than fundamental capability disparity.
This defeat feels strategically important for London Bees’ competitive trajectory despite their disappointing result. Rather than viewing their comprehensive loss as catastrophic, their competitive first-half performance combined with their Sunday Saltdean return establishes pragmatic perspective regarding their Division One South East campaign focusing upon immediate regroup and recovery rather than FAWNL Cup progression expectations.
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