In August 2020, Kathryn Nesbitt became the first female official to work the final of an MLS competition when she assisted in the MLS is Back Tournament Final matchup between the Portland Timbers and Orlando City SC. Stphanie Frappart was the first woman to referee in Frances Ligue 2 in 2014, and made history again by officiating her first game in Ligue 1, in 2019. Referee Peter Bankes Asst. Frappart took charge of refereeing a mens UEFA Champions League match in December 2020 (another first) and was the first woman in charge of a mens World Cup Qualifying match in March 2021. They're really proud," she said. If I finish in the top one or two per cent at the end of the season, I put myself in a position to be selected. Avi, Kyra, Lyra & Malayah (women's football fans). I do think its important to show that women who are in the top 1% of their category can proceed to the next level so it definitely makes others down the pyramid look up and know that they can achieve the same.. Play for free, entries by 3:00pm. She is the first female official to referee a mens professional match in her native Argentina and is the only female referee in the Primera Division, the top tier of the Argentine football pyramid. The Football Association stated that The number of female referees in English football has increased by 72% since 2016.. This includes a commitment to increase the number of female referees for international and club matches. External Link, Arsenal to play Manchester United in New York That's not a bad thing, it's just, especially in the North East of England, there were very few. Welch to take charge of Harrogate v Port Vale on Monday, This opportunity to work in the EFL is amazing for me. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Drahan Arda officiating at game at Mithatpaa Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey in 1968. Wendy Toms made history when, in 1991, she worked as the fourth referee in the old Third Division. According to Tabarelli, Edith Klinger from Austria, who was active from 1935 1938, was the first female referee to officiate both mens and womens matches. Subsequently, all match officials for the womens tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics (the second time there was a womens Olympic football competition) were also female. VideoWatch Newsround - signed and subtitled, Wildflowers fit for a king: Special seeds for schools to mark coronation, County Antrim pupils record special coronation hymn. And the first female lead referee for an international match organized by UEFA was Nicole Petignat (Switzerland) in 2003. recently made history as the first female appointed to take charge of an, , as of June 2020, there were 2,146 women refereeing across all levels of English football. The 37-year-old, who . On the international level, Steinhaus was in charge of the UEFA Womens Champions League final in 2017 as well as the Womens World Cup final in 2011 and the gold medal match for the Womens Olympics in 2012 at Wembley Stadium. Jonsson, who started refereeing in 1983, recalls that it was the first competitive international tournament in which women officiated. The experience that Sian has is invaluable. Female referees can promote women's right in Qatar- Frappart, Wendy Toms was the first female assistant referee in the Premier League in 1997, but only two women have followed since, with. In 1999, a pool of 31 referees composed entirely of women were in charge of the third edition of the FIFA Womens World Cup. [10], On 11 February 2010, Massey-Ellis refereed the season's FA Women's Premier League Cup final between Leeds Carnegie and Everton at Rochdale's Spotland Stadium. "My only concern was were they were going to take the girls and then only use them the fourth official? Some of us were lucky and had a mixed team to play with. took the field at the 2021 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship in the Dominican Republic. "I've grown so much as a person, being around the professional football environment, and learning from things I do wrong, something I probably didn't do as much of before I was a referee. BRE 2 - 1 NFO. }); We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. "It seems to have been a whirlwind over the past 11 years and now we're a week away from one of the biggest games of my career. Stphanie Frappart takes centre stage in big moment for women in football | Suzanne Wrack, Women's Club World Cup could happen 'fairly soon', says ECA chief executive, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Marking firsts like this for women in football matters, especially in a space where they have not always been fully welcome. "It's great to see the game has changed since I started watching it by including women's games seriously, and it's amazing to see how professional the leagues are forming. Female referees continue to deal with sexist comments and actions on the field, by announcers, and by the public. She, along with Mariana de Almeida (Argentina) and Neuza Back (Brazil), were the first women to be appointed to work a senior FIFA mens tournament. The Premier League supports the FA Women's National League (WNL), the third and fourth tiers of women's football, with 3m of investment and a new three-year strategy "Empowering For Success", which was launched this season. (Argentina) and Neuza Back (Brazil), were the first women to be appointed to work a senior FIFA mens tournament. , who claims to be the worlds leading expert on the evolution of the Laws of the Game and the history of women referees in mens football has thoroughly researched the subject and created a comprehensive. Nothing will teach you that better than, As it is the true sport of the world, the history of soccer (football) is, Groundhopper Guides has a look at soccer in the Olympics: the history, the mens and, All rights reserved 2023 Groundhopper Soccer Guides | Terms of Service | Privacy. [21], Her involvement in the qualification stage for the Women's World Cup increased for the 2011 edition of the competition, taking up the role of assistant referee for Norway's 20 win over Ukraine,[22] Sweden's 10 away victory over the Czech Republic in Prague[23] and Belgium's 110 home win over Azerbaijan. Sometimes it hasnt been easy but thats down to the fact that Im a referee and your decisions are going to be unpopular for 11 players on the pitch, but certainly Ive never experienced someone criticising me because of my gender and being a female referee, Welch said. Massey was required to interpret two notable incidents; she disallowed a third first-half goal for Leeds for a foul on Everton's goalkeeper and disregarded Everton's late first-half appeal for a penalty kick. Sian Louise Massey-Ellis MBE (ne Massey; born 5 October 1985)[2][3] is an English football match official who officiates generally in the role of assistant referee in the Premier League and the Football League. To be clear, there is work still to be done to eradicate sexism in football. Because that means that it is normal., Sometimes you have to lose to win, right? Welch said it was only recently that she had come to consider her position as a pioneer. There has really been a huge change already. "There aren't really too many lows with my position as a referee, apart from some boos here and there but that's inevitable really. Four officials have been promoted to the Premier League for the 2022-23 season, with Natalie Aspinall to become the second female assistant referee. "I got into refereeing through a good friend of mine who was a referee but I never really understood why anyone would want to take that route," she said. Saturday 29 April 2023. Leaving her home country, and all her friends, without a chance to say goodbye was understandably tough . In the men's game, my next promotion would be the Football League. After more than a decade in the game and as the highest-ranked female referee . Several competitions include UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 have already had a female referee. 'I'm going to ref at the World Cup' says UK's first Muslim referee. They're top of the table in Division 1 in the Midlands so they are really good. Bundesliga in 2007 and established her name as the first female referee in German mens professional football. "It's not something I thought that, when I decided to be a referee 11 years ago, I would be in the Football League doing a game. They're really proud. Cludia Vasconcelos Guedes (center) with lineswomen Linda Black (left) and Zuo Xiudi (right) prior to the 3rd place playoff between Sweden and Germany, in Guangzhou, China in 1991. There are more than 50 female officials across the Premier League, Championship, Women's Super League and Women's Championship. Then the women have to do the work. English football referees officiate matches in English football. FIFA remains committed to increasing the number of female referees and has established a Referee Womens Development. But Welch taking her place in the elite men's game in England, along with referees in Europe like Stephanie Frappart and Kateryna Monzul - who both became the first women to referee men's World Cup qualifiers last weekend - help silence outdated views, and move the sport on. Lucy has been officiating football matches since she was 15 and has since become one of the most respected referees in the game. Hamilton Academical; Partick Thistle; Scottish League One . The story is similar when you look at historic refereeing milestones around the globe over the past few years. Born in 1983, Fernanda began her football journey at the age of 15 when she joined a local female football team in her hometown of Porto Alegre. When Rebecca Welch blows her whistle at Harrogate Towns home fixture with Port Vale next Monday, a significant milestone in English football will finally have been reached. Here is a look at the top 10 female football referees from around the world. Natalie Aspinall joining Sian Massey-Ellis on the top flight's list of assistant referees for this season. I've got faith in the system, and I've been rewarded.". Video, 00:02:10, 'Anyone can referee' says UK's first Muslim female ref, Watch Newsround - signed and subtitled. In 2019, she became the first female referee to take charge of a Ligue 1 match, in August 2019 the first to take charge of a major men's European match, and in 2020, the first to officiate a men . Sian Massey-Ellis, currently the highest ranked female official in the UK, started running the line in the Football League in 2009 and has been an assistant referee for Premier League games since 2010. Massey-Ellis was withdrawn by the PGMOB from her next appointment, a League 2 game between Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City on 25 January, as they believed the added attention Massey might receive could detract from the match itself. We also enjoy being role models to young people and to ourselves when we are together. Klopp: We will do business | Chelsea transfer model impossible for manager, Carra: Everton display will worry rivals | 'Big Sam makes sense for Leeds', Transfer Centre - Neville: Spurs can't afford to lose Kane this summer, Brecel holds off Selby fightback to win World Snooker final, Arteta: This is not over | Lampard: Arsenal still in the title race, Ref Watch: 'Klopp case closed but Jota got lucky! The 37-year-old from County Durham has become the first woman selected to referee a mens match in the English Football League. , three women became the first to control a match at a senior Confederation of African Football (CAF) mens tournament. Earlier this year, Rebecca Welch became the first appointed female referee to take charge of an English Football League game when she oversaw Port Vale's 2-0 win against Harrogate Town . Welchreflected on a "whirlwind decade" since she was playing for Durham and Nissan Ladies, and regularly shouting at the officials in charge. Rebecca Welch made history on Monday as she became the first appointed female referee to take charge of an English Football League (EFL) game. The English Football League (EFL) has appointed it's very first female referee. "I think it's hugely significant," she told BBC Sport. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Germanys Bundesliga and Frances Ligue 1 have employed women referees, and Stphanie Frappart refereed a mens Champions League match last December. My work ranges from travelling to take photos for grassroots football to professional games, sometimes even travelling internationally. "I got the news on Saturday and haven't come back down to earth yet. Asked how long it would be before a woman took charge of a Premier League game, she said "maybe five years". The 2022 World Cup will include female referees for the first time at a major men's international tournament, with Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor also selected to officiate. Katie Patterson is making history as the first female to referee a professional football match in England. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Elena Tambini is a revolutionary in the world of football, becoming the first-ever female referee in the history of the Italian Football Federation. Last updated on 1 December 20221 December 2022.From the section Football. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. After moving to the United States for college, she took up refereeing as a hobby and soon realized that she had a true passion for it. We watched the Euros last summer at our cousin's house in Manchester and were so happy when Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal. Your email address will not be published. That didn't even register on my radar. We can't wait for it to develop. Leeds won the match 31, winning the cup for the first time since its inaugural 199192 season.[11]. Cream Magazine by Themebeez. Football is a sport that has historically been dominated by male referees, but that is changing. Lucy Oliver is a pioneering female football referee who is helping to reshape the sport. She says that Frappart's display and that of other female officials in Qatar - another two female referees and three assistant referees are also available for selection - is crucial for paving the way for a new generation. Patterson has been a referee for 14 years and has officiated in the FA Womens Super League, the FA Womens Championship, the FA Womens National League and the UEFA Womens Champions League. She was part of an all-female on-field team; a male referee served as the fourth official. The officiating crew was led by Center Referee Tori Penso, while Karen Diaz of Mexico and Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing of Jamaica served as Assistant Referees. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could face disciplinary action after accusing the referee in Sunday's dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham of bearing a grudge against his team. Petra Tabarelli found the first occurrence of three females officiating in a top-level mens soccer match anywhere in the world at a Brazilian Serie A game in June 2003. became the first female official to work the final of an MLS competition when she assisted in the MLS is Back Tournament Final matchup between the Portland Timbers and Orlando City SC. But like Steinhaus-Webb, she is keen to make sure any promotion is for the right reasons. A referee on Teesside by the age of 14, Harrington officiated his first Premier League game in December 2021. English referee Sian Massey-Ellis believes it is only a matter of time before there is a female referee in the Premier League. [5][6][7], She is based in Coventry, West Midlands. Thus, on May 27, I turned on the TV to watch a CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores group stage game between Defensa y Justicia of Argentina, and Independiente del Valle of Ecuador. Fearn became the first female to referee an FA Cup game in the main draw in 2013. "Now we have Rebecca Welch, Natalie Aspinall, Sian Massey-Ellis, Lisa Rashid breaking through these glass ceilings and really pushing the boundaries forward," she added. This is a significant increase from the handful of female referees that were present in the early 2000s and serves as a testament to the progress that has been made in terms of gender equality in football. However, Welch will be the first female referee to have been officially appointed for a game. Is it common? The 35-year-old is blazing a trail for other women in the sport and is determined to make a name for herself in the competitive and male-dominated world of football. [24], In June 2017, Massey-Ellis was appointed to be an assistant referee for the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands. "I've seen both sides of the game from when I first started playing for a local boys team, to having to pay to play at Tranmere Rovers, where there were a lot of volunteers who helped run the club, to then playing professionally at Leeds United and Doncaster Belles, to also playing for England, where we had everything from personal sports scientists to doctors and cooks at St George's Park. Sian Massey-Ellis, currently the highest ranked female official in the UK, started running the line in the Football League in 2009 and has been an assistant referee for Premier League games since 2010. My mum doesn't know a lot about football. It shows there is a real opportunity to young girls who are wondering if they are able to take the whistle they can aspire to be an EFL referee or like Sian Massey-Ellis in the Premier League.". Other women referees Serie A is not the first league to appoint a female official to referee a match. I've got to keep on performing, achieving those marks, to get those rewards. We know each other very well and we knew what we were capable of, so it was just going into the game with that mindset and not letting anything else drag us down.". Thus women didnt reach the top levels of officiating the mens game until the 90s. Denise Bueno is making history in the world of football as the first female referee in Brazil. It the end it was the strike from Graham Hansen in the first leg that is the . "When I first started to go to clubs, people used to look twice because they just weren't used to seeing a female being a referee. Francia Gonzalez worked as the Fourth Referee and Dianne Ferreira-James of Guyana as Assessor. [27], On 24 October 2019, Massey-Ellis was appointed to her first Men's International fixture in a 00 draw between PSV Eindhoven and LASK in the UEFA Europa League. In 2014, Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling became the first woman hired as a full-time NBA official in nearly two decades. Becoming the first female to referee in the Premier League is now one of Welch's next targets, but she is keen to inspire more women to pick up the whistle along the way. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Sian Massey-Ellis is a trailblazing female football referee who has broken down barriers in what is traditionally seen as a male-dominated industry. "Because of this, theres so many pathways for girls who want to follow in our footsteps. In addition, the two video match officials were also women, making the entire officiating crew 100% female. To be given this opportunity to work in the EFL is amazing for me.. VideoCounty Antrim pupils record special coronation hymn. "Looking into the National League, it takes me back to when I was trying to balance an education to playing football and trying to train everyday while also having other commitments as I couldnt focus on football full-time at this level. "The professional behaviour we can see now in the whole environment, it is absolutely overwhelming.". Katalin began her refereeing career in 1990 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a FIFA-accredited referee in 1998. Although there are a number of women registered as assistant referees in the EFL, and one Sian Massey-Ellis who works in the Premier League and at international club level, there has been concern over the slow rate of progress for female referees in England.