World Football News
Who Is Steve Child? Referee Coach Rejects Claims of ‘Man-Handling’ WSL Official
Former Premier League assistant referee and PGMOL coach Steve Child has denied allegations that he “manhandled” Women’s Super League official Lisa Benn during a VAR training tournament in March 2023.
The employment tribunal heard contrasting accounts of an incident that Benn claims cost her FIFA status and ultimately her PGMOL contract.
Steve Child Denies “Manhandling” WSL Referee Lisa Benn as Employment Tribunal Hears Discrimination Claims
Benn, 34, alleges Child “forcefully pushed” her back onto the pitch during a low-stakes under-19s match organised by Professional Game Match Officials Limited to train officials on VAR technology. She told the tribunal the incident occurred after a lengthy injury delay when Child attempted to hurry proceedings.
“He felt superior, he felt like he could come on and tell me how to referee, he manhandled me on to the field of play—he would never have done that to a male referee,”
Benn stated. She claims Child later grabbed her arm and warned “your card has been marked” after she pushed back against his instruction to “kill the game.”
Benn described Child’s demeanor vividly: “He was so angry his eyes were bulging out of his head.”
Child categorically rejected the allegations in his tribunal witness statement. “100% I did not grab her, it was a guiding arm if anything but I don’t recall putting any physical contact on her,” the former Premier League assistant referee stated. “I lightly put an arm across her back in a sense of ‘let’s go.'”
Career Consequences and Discrimination Claims
Benn alleges that after filing her complaint, PGMOL quietly stopped recommending her for FIFA selection despite assurances from chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and Bibi Steinhaus-Webb, then head of women’s referees, that she wouldn’t face retaliation.
The decision resulted in Benn losing her PGMOL contract as a women’s select group match official, forcing her to officiate WSL matches on a self-employed basis.
PGMOL investigated the complaint but concluded Child’s conduct did not meet the threshold for disciplinary action. Benn now claims she experienced sex-based discrimination and harassment, victimisation, and unfair dismissal.
The tribunal also heard Benn’s broader allegations about a culture of fear within PGMOL. She claimed there was reluctance among officials to raise grievances “because of the fear of consequences.”
PGMOL’s lawyer Jesse Crozier pushed back against Benn’s characterization, suggesting Child “would have put his arm behind you and ushered you on to the pitch at the same time”—a version Benn flatly rejected.
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?
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”