England captain Millie Bright slams VAR’s absence in Women’s Nations League as ‘mind-blowing’ after Lionesses concede offside opener in loss to the Netherlands

England captain Millie Bright bemoaned the absence of VAR for last night’s women’s Nations League defeat against the Netherlands, labeling it as ‘mind-blowing’.

The incident that provoked her comments came in the build-up to the hosts’ first goal, where Danielle van de Donk received the ball in an off-side position before laying on Lieke Martens to score. 

The Netherlands went on to win the game 2-1.

Bright admits England should have defended the situation better but pleaded for greater consistency in the deployment of technology across the women’s game.

‘It is always frustrating [to not have VAR],’ said the 30-year-old. 

Lieke Martens (right) scored the opener for the hosts, which Danielle van de Donk (left) set up from an offside position 

‘I think we push the level of the game to be so high and professional, yet we sometimes have VAR and sometimes we don’t.

‘There is no consistency. But by no means is that an excuse. 

‘We put ourselves in that position – not clearing the ball, not getting out of pressure.

‘But they are the differences in games as well and it is really unfortunate that these are still huge decisions that are incorrect. 

‘This is international football and we do not have VAR in a competitive international game, which is mind-blowing.’

The use of VAR is at the host nation’s discretion up until the semi-final stage of the women’s Nations League.

Stadion Galgenwaard, home to Eredivisie side Utrecht, is equipped with the infrastructure for VAR given that it has been used in the Dutch top flight since the 2018-19 season.

There was no VAR available for England’s win against Scotland last Friday at the Stadium of Light, home to Championship side Sunderland, either. 

That was because the ground is not equipped for the technology given that VAR is not used in the English second-tier.