The Rise of Women Referees in Global Football: Breaking Barriers and Changing the Game

     Football has long been a male-dominated sport, not only on the pitch but in every facet of its structure—including officiating. For decades, refereeing at the highest levels was almost exclusively a male domain, with women rarely progressing beyond women's or youth matches. However, the last 15 years have witnessed a remarkable and accelerating rise of women referees in men's professional and international football. From historic firsts in top leagues to officiating at World Cups, these women have proven their competence, composure, and authority amid skepticism, abuse, and systemic barriers. This is the story of their rise—a tale of persistence, milestone achievements, ongoing challenges, and the broader push for gender equality in one of football's most traditional roles.

The Historical Context: A Long Road to Recognition

The involvement of women in football refereeing dates back further than many realize, but progress was glacial. In the early 20th century, women occasionally officiated local or amateur matches, but organized men's football remained closed to them. One of the earliest documented female referees was Edith Klinger from Austria in the 1930s, who handled both men's and women's games in local leagues.

After World War II, as football grew professionally, women began taking official qualifications in some countries. In the 1970s, pioneers like Karolina Westberg in Sweden and Sonia Denoncourt in Canada earned badges and refereed at higher levels. Denoncourt became the first woman to earn FIFA international accreditation in 1994 and officiated at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics women's tournament.

In Europe, Nicole Petignat from Switzerland made history in 2003 by refereeing a UEFA Cup qualifier between AIK Solna and Fylkir—the first woman to officiate a men's UEFA club competition match. These early breakthroughs were rare and often met with resistance. Women were frequently confined to women's leagues or lower divisions in men's football, with promotion to top tiers blocked by cultural biases and lack of opportunities.

The growth of women's football in the 1990s and 2000s helped create a pathway. As the women's game professionalized, more women took up refereeing to support it. FIFA and national associations began programs to encourage female officials, but change was slow. It wasn't until the 2010s that real momentum built.

The Breakthrough Decade: 2010s Milestones

The 2010s marked the beginning of significant change. Bibiana Steinhaus from Germany became the first woman to referee in a major men's professional league when she officiated in the 2. Bundesliga in 2012. In 2017, she made history again by becoming the first female referee in the Bundesliga, handling matches with composure and earning respect from players and coaches.

In France, Stéphanie Frappart's rise was meteoric. She refereed in Ligue 2 from 2014 and became the first woman to officiate a Ligue 1 match in 2019 (Amiens vs Strasbourg). Later that year, she made global headlines by refereeing the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea—the first woman to officiate a major UEFA men's final. In 2020, she refereed a Champions League group stage match, another landmark.

Across the world, other breakthroughs occurred. In Brazil, Edina Alves Batista refereed in the men's Serie A. In the United States, Kathryn Nesbitt and Brooke Mayo became regular assistant referees in MLS. In England, Sian Massey-Ellis was a trailblazer as an assistant in the Premier League from 2010, handling high-profile matches like derbies with unflappable accuracy.

These milestones were supported by proactive governing bodies. FIFA launched its Female Refereeing Pathway in 2015, providing training and development. UEFA introduced similar initiatives, aiming to increase the number of elite female officials. The 2019 Women's World Cup featured all-female officiating teams for the first time, showcasing their capabilities on a global stage.

The 2020s: Acceleration and Normalization

The 2020s have seen the fastest progress yet. At the 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar, FIFA selected six women officials—three referees (Stéphanie Frappart, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda, and Yoshimi Yamashita from Japan) and three assistants. Frappart refereed the group stage match between Germany and Costa Rica, becoming the first woman to officiate a men's World Cup game. Mukansanga and Yamashita also handled matches, marking a historic moment for African and Asian representation.

In domestic leagues, progress continued. Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee a Premier League match in December 2023 (Fulham vs Burnley). She had previously been the first in the Championship and EFL. In Italy, Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi refereed in Serie A. In Spain, Guadalupe Porras Ayuso became a regular assistant in La Liga.

In 2025, the trend accelerated. Frappart refereed multiple Champions League matches, and Welch handled several Premier League games. In Africa, Salima Mukansanga refereed at the men's AFCON. In Asia, Yamashita officiated in the J-League. UEFA and FIFA reported record numbers of women on their international lists—over 150 in 2025.

The normalization is evident. Women are no longer “firsts” but regular officials. Programs like the English FA's “Refereeing Her Future” and FIFA's talent development initiatives have increased participation at grassroots levels. The goal is to make gender irrelevant in referee selection—purely based on merit.

Key Trailblazers and Their Journeys

Stéphanie Frappart (France): From Ligue 2 to World Cup matches, Frappart is the most prominent female referee. Known for her calm authority and excellent communication, she has handled high-pressure games like derbies and European finals.

Rebecca Welch (England): A former player turned referee, Welch's journey from non-league to Premier League has been inspirational. She has spoken openly about the abuse she faced and the need for more support.

Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb (Germany): Retired in 2021 after a successful Bundesliga career. She handled over 100 top-flight matches and was respected for her fairness.

Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda): The first African woman to referee at a men's World Cup. Her story of overcoming poverty and cultural barriers in Rwanda is inspiring.

Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan): Broke barriers in Asia and at the World Cup. Her precision and decision-making have earned praise.

Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine): Refereed during the war in Ukraine, showing incredible resilience. She has officiated in Europa League and international qualifiers.

These women have not only officiated but mentored others, creating a pipeline of talent.

The Challenges: Sexism, Abuse, and Systemic Barriers

Despite progress, female referees face significant challenges. Sexism is rife—comments about appearance, voice, or “not belonging” are common. Online abuse is severe, with threats and harassment after controversial decisions.

Physical demands are scrutinized more for women, despite many being fitter than male counterparts. Promotion is slower, with fewer opportunities in top men's leagues. Cultural barriers in conservative countries limit participation. Balancing family life with travel is harder for women.

High-profile incidents highlight the issue. In 2025, a female assistant referee faced sexist chants from fans, leading to stadium bans. Players have questioned decisions more aggressively when made by women. The pressure to be “perfect” is immense—one mistake is magnified due to gender.

Support is improving—FIFA and UEFA have zero-tolerance policies for abuse, and psychological support is offered. Mentorship programs pair female referees with experienced officials.

The Broader Impact and Benefits

The rise of women referees promotes equality and diversity. It inspires young girls to take up refereeing and shows that women can succeed in authority roles. Diversity in officiating can improve decision-making, with studies showing mixed teams make fewer errors.

It also benefits the women's game. Many female referees officiate both men's and women's matches, raising standards in women's football. The visibility at major tournaments encourages investment in women's refereeing pathways.

The impact extends beyond football. Female referees are role models in a male-dominated industry, challenging stereotypes and promoting gender equality in sport.

The Future: Toward Full Equality

The future is promising. FIFA aims for 30% female referees on international lists by 2030. UEFA has similar targets. Grassroots programs are recruiting more women, and technology like VAR reduces physical scrutiny.

By 2030, women referees in top men's leagues could be commonplace. The goal is merit-based selection, where gender is irrelevant. The rise of women referees is part of football's broader evolution toward inclusivity.

The rise of women referees in global football is a story of courage, excellence, and change. From pioneers facing rejection to modern trailblazers officiating World Cups, they have proven their place in the game. Their journey is far from over, but the progress made is a testament to their determination and the sport's slow but steady move toward equality.

Disclaimer: These articles are for general entertainment and inspiration only—not professional analysis or official advice. Opinions expressed are subjective. Consult reliable sources for in-depth research. See our full Disclaimer.