Women's Super League "not valuable enough" to support full-time referees

The Football Association has confirmed officials in the Women's Super League will remain part-time for at least the next three years, saying the value of the league does not warrant the investment needed for professional referees.

There have been a number of high-profile blunders from officials this season. However, the FA is keen improve the standard of refereeing even if only through training and development on a part-time basis.

"Over the next three years we plan to really increase that level of professionalism around the Women's Super League and the Women's Championship," FA women's professional game refereeing manager Joanna Stimpson told BBC Sport.

"Will that mean full-time referees in the next three years? No - potentially after that, we don't know, we wouldn't like to commit to that, but it is certainly our vision to have full-time match officials for the Women's Super League. But we are unfortunately driven by the value of the league.

"That doesn't stop us as an organisation professionalising the environment these match officials are operating on, professionalising the development, education and support."