6 female referees giving their male counterparts a run for their money
The referee is crucial to the fluidity, fairness, and orderliness of play in football. It goes without saying that some of the biggest football matches have been marred with refereeing controversies.
Tasked with making delicate decisions, referees must establish themselves as impartial umpires, gaining the respect of footballers and coaches. Even punters staking on top bookmaker apps like Mozzart bet use the referee officiating a game as a source of information on the likely events to occur in the match, like yellow and red cards.
It is, therefore, exciting to watch the increasing adoption of female officials for this delicate role. Notably, some massive football events have been officiated by female referees.
This article discusses some of football’s most reputable and respected female referees.
Bibiana Steinhaus
On the football field, Bibiana Steinhaus is unquestionably the ruler. She has made a name for herself as one of the leading referees in football, both in the Bundesliga and beyond. Her active years as a referee, from 2007 to 2019, totaled 12 years.
In Steinhaus’ career, numerous firsts have occurred. She oversaw a Bundesliga game in 2017 and made history as the first female official in German professional football. She had previously officiated in the women’s Bundesliga and the second and third tiers of German football.
Steinhaus’ abilities have not been overlooked, and she has gotten a lot of praise for her contributions.
She was awarded the best female referee in Germany in 2008 and won the award again in 2015, 2017, and 2018. She was additionally added to the referee pool for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Stephanie Frappart
Football officiating is a field in which Stephanie Frappart is a pioneer. She is renowned throughout the world and recognized as one of the top female referees in the industry. Since she began presiding over football games in 2011, Frappart has presided over games involving both men’s and women’s teams.
One of Frappart’s most notable achievements in 2019 was that she presided over a significant men’s European match as the first female referee.
She presided over the UEFA Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea, making history. Frappart’s participation as a referee at the 2019 Women’s World Cup cemented her position as one of the best officials in the game.
Katalin Kulcsar
Katalin Kulcsar is regarded as one of the best female referees in football. She is a native of Hungary, has been active in the sport since 2001, and is regarded as one of the top referees in the entire world.
The 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cups and the 2016 Rio Olympics were among the notable international competitions Kulcsar officiated. Athletes, coaches, and spectators have praised her for her ability to manage players and keep the game flowing.
Kulcsar’s perseverance and commitment to the sport have not gone unnoticed; as a result, she has won numerous prizes and accolades. She was awarded the best referee in Hungary in 2018 and was selected for the Women’s World Cup referee pool in 2019.
Carol Anne Chenard
Canadian soccer official Carol Anne Chenard has officiated matches for over 20 years. She started as a referee in 1996 and advanced fast through the ranks, eventually becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2006. She has since been a referee for some of the most important games in women’s sports, including the 2012 Olympics, the 2015 Women’s World Cup, and the 2016 Olympics.
Carol Anne Chenard has garnered various honors and prizes for her remarkable on-field achievements during her career. She received the seventh consecutive Canadian Soccer Association Referee of the Year title in 2015, and in 2016 she received the CONCACAF Female Referee of the Year accolade.
The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) in the US has also named her the Female Referee of the Year.
Esther Staubli
Esther Staubli is a Swiss soccer official who has officiated matches for over ten years. She started her career as a referee in 2006 and soon gained recognition. In 2011, she was included in the FIFA list of referees. Since then, including the 2019 Women’s World Cup, she has officiated some of the biggest games in the women’s game.
Esther Staubli has garnered various honors and prizes for her outstanding on-field achievements during her career. She received the Swiss Referee of the Year award in 2016 and the UEFA Women’s Referee of the Year award in 2018. The Swiss Professional Football League also named her the Female Referee of the Year.
Claudia Umpiérrez
A soccer referee from Uruguay with more than ten years of experience, Claudia Umpiérrez. She started off as a referee in 2006 and advanced fast through the ranks, eventually becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2010. She has since overseen many notable games, including the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
With her exceptional exploits on the field, Claudia Umpiérrez has won various accolades throughout her career. She received the Uruguayan Football Association’s Best Referee of the Year title in 2015, and in 2018 she received the CONMEBOL Female Referee of the Year award. The Uruguayan Professional Football League also awarded her the Best Referee of the Year title.
Conclusion
These remarkable female referees have enhanced football’s global landscape. They have significantly contributed to the sport through their commitment, professionalism, and extraordinary skills on the field. So tell us, who is your favorite female referee?
