West Ham captain Gilly Flaherty wants referees to become full-time in the women's game and for matches being played in men's stadia to be routine over the next decade. All officials in the Women's Super League (WSL) - coming soon to Sky Sports - and second-tier Women's Championship are currently part-time. In February, Joanna Stimpson, the FA's refereeing manager for the women's professional game, said the organisation has no plans to introduce full-time referees to the top-two tiers for at least three years. But Flaherty, who was speaking on the 10-year anniversary of the WSL, says professionalism is vital to ensure improved officiating standards as the women's game continues to develop. When asked what she hoped for in the women's game over the next decade, Flaherty told Sky Sports News: "I would like to see referees become full-time.

Source: Sky sports April 13, 2021 14:23 UTC