first female referee in premier league

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Welch is the highest-ranking female referee in English football, has refereed in the National League for the past three seasons and has taken charge of the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley among other fixtures. took the field at the 2021 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship in the Dominican Republic. "They are not only performing for themselves, they are performing for a whole generation of female officials who want to strive higher," she said. portalId: "19923684", Then the women have to do the work. Today, there are five full-time women referees in the NBA -- the most in the . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "Back in my time, all you could do was come down to your local pitch and play with your mates on a Saturday, go to the pub and that was it. "We've got to make sure that women see this as an environment that is welcoming to them. "I think it's hugely significant," she told BBC Sport. Video, 00:02:10'Anyone can referee' says UK's first Muslim female ref, Five times referees have made the headlines, Watch Newsround - signed and subtitled. [14], After her second Premier League game, as an assistant in Liverpool's 30 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 22 January 2011, a sexism controversy erupted over remarks made about Massey-Ellis by staff of the Premier League broadcaster Sky Sports, which led to commentator Andy Gray and presenter Richard Keys being sacked. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. She has spent 11 years working her way up the ranks to mark this new professional milestone - and because she is making history, this is also a new step for women to tick off. I dont want women appointed because theyre women. "Initially I wasnt really aware of being appointed as the first female referee," Welch said on Tuesday. Welcome to the dangerous world of the yakuza: Watch the slick, stylish drama Tokyo Vice on BBC iPlayer now. ", Paige Williams (Leeds United Women midfielder). Katalin Kulcsar is a Hungarian football referee and a role model for aspiring female referees around the world. FIFA remains committed to increasing the number of female referees and has established a Referee Womens Development. In January 2020, she won the award for the UPL's best . Video, 00:02:10, 'Anyone can referee' says UK's first Muslim female ref, Watch Newsround - signed and subtitled. She was the first female referee to take charge of a Premier League match in 2017 and has also officiated in the Champions League, making her the first female referee to do so. 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. Women were less common running the sidelines of mens football in England in the early 20th century. 'Anyone can referee' says UK's first Muslim female ref. Welch believes it is only the beginning: "If it's not me, I've got no doubt, in the next 10 to 15 years, we will see a female referee in the Premier League, [but first] we'll get Monday out of the way. In February 2021, Brazilian referee Edina Alves Batista became the first woman to officiate the Club World Cup. formId: "1e092068-e6c8-4d90-9b3f-cc61c5958770" The tournament, FIFA stated in its announcement, would feature the first female referees in the 92-year history of the men's World Cup, with six women among the 129 officials. The game I watched last week is the first time that a female has been in charge of a Copa Libertadores game. In 2010, Amy Fearn was the first woman to take charge of a Football League match when the original referee was injured during the game and she took over for the last 20 minutes of play. "It would have been nice to have had a girls' team. "People are starting to know who the England women are. [25], In May 2018 Massey-Ellis was appointed as an assistant in the 2018 UEFA Women's Champions League Final. 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. During a game between Cardiff City and Middlesbrough in May 2011, Massey was knocked over by Cardiff player Kevin McNaughton, although the incident was said, officially by the FA, to be an accident. I've got no doubt, in the next 10 to 15 years, we will see a female referee in the Premier League," she said. Romani started her career as an assistant referee in the Italian Serie B in 2018 and has since gone on to referee in the Italian Serie A and Coppa Italia. As the world continues to tackle issues of gender equality in all aspects of life, ensuring that women have the same opportunities as men to officiate soccer at all levels is a necessary focus of the stakeholders in the game. BRE 2 - 1 NFO. Required fields are marked *. Francia Gonzalez worked as the Fourth Referee and Dianne Ferreira-James of Guyana as Assessor. Wendy was born on 16 October 1962 in Dorset, England. However, despite never envisaging becoming a referee, she said she is "extremely proud and my familys extremely proud as well" to be making history. They're really proud," she said. ", Bridie Hannon and Kathryn Smith (Leeds United Women players). The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reportedly cut away from the game more than 100 times in order to avoid showing her legs, showing outdoor footage of London instead. Thankfully, theres decent coverage of European football as well, so I have been able to watch plenty of Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and other European league matches along with the occasional MLS games, World Cup qualifiers, etc. She's excited, but I don't think she knows why! The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. They have the same level of knowledge, training and experience in the game, and are often more organized and efficient. A footballing whirlwind in the eye of a tabloid storm Look at the actions taken as the Third Reich faces collapse in the final weeks of World War II. | Why It Matters, UFC Fight Night: JJ Aldrich vs Ariane Lipski Live Streaming Watch Now. Rebecca Welch becomes first female referee to be appointed to EFL game ahead of Harrogate Town vs Port Vale, Rebecca Welch has told Sky Sports News of her pride and excitement as she is set to become the first female appointed to referee a game in the English Football League. The English Football League (EFL) has appointed it's very first female referee. A decade on, Massey-Ellis continues her work as a consistent and leading official at the top level of the game, and Welch says her move into the EFL is the legacy of that. . In January 2021, three women became the first to control a match at a senior Confederation of African Football (CAF) mens tournament. Frappart will continue to make history in the coming weeks as she has been selected to work as a support match official at the Euros. Your email address will not be published. Nathan McAndrew's return of 5-53 is so far his best figures in England. The hostile world of refereeing was never an ambition for the 37-year-old, but Welch has out-performed male counterparts while rising through the ranks of the grass-roots and women's game. They're really proud. Amy Fearn came on as an injury substitute to referee an EFL game in 2010, but only Welch has been appointed to take charge of a full match. Like all referees, Welch has to earn her stripes and move up the ladder accordingly. ", Sue Smith (football presenter & former Lioness). "Promoting women's football will help continue its growth, especially with how it's growing after the Euros. There are more than 50 female officials across the Premier League, Championship, Women's Super League and Women's Championship. The highest-ranking female referee in English football will take . The Premier League could still be a decade away from assigning its first female referee, according to Referees' Association chairman Paul Field. The sky is the limit. However, Welch will be the first female referee to have been officially appointed for a game. I was so shocked to see four female refs that I took a photo of my TV. When we were in school, we had to join the boys' team just to play football. 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. She is known for her excellent communication skills and quick decision-making, making her a respected figure in the football community. Rebecca Welch made history on Monday as she became the first appointed female referee to take charge of an English Football League (EFL) game. Female football referee are becoming increasingly common in the sport, and they are proving to be just as capable as their male counterparts. She said: "Sian's an absolute icon in refereeing and has paved the way for females, not just in England but all over Europe, to think about taking up the whistle. The competitiveness is just as strong, though, compared to other leagues because everyone wants to win. 2023 BBC. However, at the time, they could not be appointed to games because there were no women on the 1991 FIFA List of Referees. Tambini has since officiated over a number of big games, including the 2019 Italian Cup Final between Juventus and Fiorentina. She began her journey in the sport in 2009 as an assistant referee in the Serie C, quickly becoming one of the most respected referees in the Italian game. Massey-Ellis turned professional in March 2010, joining the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB), who provide the officials for men's Premier League matches, the highest level of professional football in England. Follow live updates as Arsenal travel to Wolfsburg in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final. [8], In May 2009, Massey-Ellis was appointed fourth official for the year's FA Women's Cup final at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium, a game which saw two injury-time goals and Arsenal defeat Sunderland 21. The age limit for FIFA referees is 45 years old. For reference, the Copa Libertadores is the highest level of competition in South American club football. It is the highest standard for a female referee yet in the mens game and, it is hoped, a harbinger of much more progress. It helped the game become stable after years of stagnancy. Jonsson, who started refereeing in 1983, recalls that it was the first competitive international tournament in which women officiated. Welch was one of 12 referees at the Women's Euro 2022, with Massey-Ellis and Rashid among the assistants. When I'm not at football matches, I also do media at a lawn-mowing company. She, along with. It is owned and operated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). She is a member of the Hungarian Football Federation and has officiated several matches in the UEFA Champions League, putting her on the global stage. Stephanie Frappart made history on Wednesday by . To become a FIFA referee, applicants must pass a fitness test and complete a refereeing course. Around the same time, women were receiving their first appointments at the top levels of the mens game. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. She is not strictly the first woman to officiate in the EFL on Monday as Amy Fearn refereed a Championship match for 15 minutes in 2010 as an injury replacement, but never before has a woman received an official appointment. Barcelona are through to the final of the Women's Champions League! [1] [2] The first season was played in March 2023 and saw Mumbai Indians win the first title. Last year the chairman of the Referees Association, Paul Field, said that female officials suffered because of a previous lack of investment in the womens game and that it would be a decade before a woman was refereeing a Premier League match. "Unfortunately, at my age I can't play myself, so it is nice to watch the others get out there and be active - especially the women. omen in professional sports as players, game officials, coaches and front office personnel w, virtually non-existent. Thirty years on from a plane crash devastated Zambian football, BBC Sport Africa hears how a Danish coach helped a nation recover from tragedy. Elena Tambini is a revolutionary in the world of football, becoming the first-ever female referee in the history of the Italian Football Federation. She was part of an all-female on-field team; a male referee served as the fourth official. Her first appointment as an assistant referee was on 29 August 2009, a 22 draw between Hereford United and Port Vale. Katie Patterson is making history as the first female to referee a professional football match in England. I've got faith in the system, and I've been rewarded.". "We are both in the same leagues but in different areas of the country, so we knew it was going to be a tough game and had to make sure we were reliable to each other as team-mates on where we were playing on the pitch. 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. Referee Peter Bankes Asst. The English Football League (EFL) has appointed it's very first female referee. Steinhaus-Webb, who became the first woman to referee a German top-flight men's game in September 2017, now oversees the development of female officials for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in England. Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup game as she oversaw Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday. "We also play football ourselves, which is why we are interested and involved. Play for free, entries by 3:00pm. With past accomplishments including refereeing the womens FA Cup final on two occasions, Welch said her selection was the biggest achievement of her 10-year career as a match official. It marked the first time that an all-female team officiated a continental mens match in Asia. first ever all-womens crew in a mens match in Concacaf history. Those 156 associations have a total of 2,823 referees of which 822 (29.12%) are women who are accredited as follows: Fortuna Dusseldorfs Kerem Demirbay being sent off by female referee Bibiana Steinhaus in 2015. Our group ranges across the positions, with a left-winger, a goalkeeper, a striker and a centre-back. (Photo: Phil Stephens Photography/FIFA Museum). the first woman to officiate a Bundesliga game in 2017. Copyrights Fast Sportsly. 2023. "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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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.". LV= County Championship . [24], In June 2017, Massey-Ellis was appointed to be an assistant referee for the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands. Lidya Tafesse, center, of Ethiopia with assistant referees Bernadettar Asimenye Kwimbira of Malawi and Nigerias Mimisen Agatha Iyorhe made history in January. Rebecca Welch, who is currently the highest-ranking female referee in English football, will oversee Harrogate Town's game against Port Vale on Monday 5 April. After deciding that she wanted to become a referee, Welch didn't think she would ever make it to the EFL. For reference, 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. "We know who we are as a fairly big club and that we are a great team. ', Sprint beef, Ferrari respite & reignited title fight | What we learnt in Baku, PL hits and misses: Vintage Vardy making timely Leicester comeback, Welch, centre, warms up with Sian Massey-Ellis, right, ahead of the last Women's FA Cup final at Wembley, Premier League assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis discusses equality, online hate, VAR, the Sergio Aguero incident and being a trailblazer for girls who want to make it in sport, Trailblazer Massey-Ellis: VAR, mistakes & social media. She quickly developed a passion for the sport and was selected to become a referee at the age of 21. 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. "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. We can't wait for it to develop. It looks so cool and different compared to the other trophies. "But I love sports, and my job is not so much a chore when I'm being paid to watch events and capture shots. Sian Louise Massey-Ellis MBE (ne Massey; born 5 October 1985) is an English football match official who officiates generally in the role of assistant referee in the Premier League and the Football League.She has also been appointed to matches in the Football League Trophy, UEFA Women's Champions League, FIFA Women's World Cup qualification rounds, the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA . Welch is the first female to be appointed to a match as an EFL referee. To have her around a dressing room, as one of my friends, is really important. (modern). This is the highest I have refereed at, at the moment, and I'm more than happy so far. Steinhaus-Webb, who became the first woman to referee. We also enjoy being role models to young people and to ourselves when we are together. Francia Gonzalez worked as the Fourth Referee and Dianne Ferreira-James of Guyana as Assessor. "Twenty minutes into one game, somebody sat in the stand next to my dad didn't even realise the ref was a female. Everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment. Currently, there are more than 200 female referees who are officially part of the FIFA Referees Committee, making up around 15% of the total number of referees in FIFA. FC Barcelona will add another stamp to their UEFA Women's Champions League finals passport. Smith's visit was on 2023 FA Women's National League Finals Day as Leeds United Women, Stourbridge Women, Newcastle United Development and Portsmouth FC Development battled it out for the WNL Plate and Reserve Plate finals.

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