Overview
- At the London employment tribunal, PGMOL chief Howard Webb denied that referee Lisa Benn was demoted for alleging a coach 'manhandled' her.
- Webb testified that Benn was ranked sixth because others outperformed her under broader criteria such as decision-making, fitness and interpersonal skills.
- Benn alleges Steve Child grabbed and threatened her at a March 2023 VAR training event and intimidated her at an August 2023 camp, claims he denies.
- A PGMOL inquiry in June 2023 found insufficient evidence to discipline Child, and Benn later missed FIFA’s five-woman list after dropping from fifth to sixth in PGMOL’s nominations.
- Webb outlined the nomination route through a PGMOL group, FA ratification and onward to UEFA and FIFA, and the tribunal is scheduled to hear closing submissions on Friday.