Credit: Kelley L Cox | Imagn Images
The Professional Referees Organization contacted Bay FC to apologize for at least two incorrect calls from May matches, the Equalizer has learned.
On May 15, Bay were leading the Legacy 1-0 when VAR (Video Assisted Referee) awarded a penalty to the Legacy after what appeared to be incidental contact between Bay keeper Jordan Silkowitz and Legacy attacker Aissata Traoré. Amanda Gutierres converted and the match ended, 1-1.
Two matches later, on May 24, Bay had what looked like the opening goal against the Chicago Stars only for VAR to interject and rule that Cristiana Girelli was offside on the sequence. The ball never got to Girelli though and the closest defender to her was able to make the next play on the ball. The Stars wound up winning 1-0.
The correspondence took place in late May before the extended break to accommodate the men’s World Cup. It was not clear whether the email stated the calls were incorrect or that VAR should not have intervened to begin with.
Bay are now 3-6-2 and sit in 13th on the table. They are 6 points adrift of a playoff position. The season resumes Sunday with a return match against the Legacy in Rhode Island.
Reached by The Equalizer, a PRO spokesperson said the organization does not comment on interactions with clubs. Bay FC declined to comment.
