Female assistant referees at WC

The U-17 World Cup beginning here on October 6 will set a record of sorts as it will see for the first time a female assistant referee in a FIFA men’s competition.

FIFA, the world governing body of football, said it’s time for elite female support referees to be involved in a men’s competition.

“FIFA has selected seven support referees, but with a twist: for the first-ever time, FIFA has selected female referees for a men’s tournament. The results and improvements seen in the joint preparations have shown the time has come for elite female referees to officiate in men’s competitions together with their male colleagues,” the FIFA said.

“We think it’s time for elite female referees to be involved in a FIFA men’s competition. They worked together with male match officials last year and now we want to see them working together in a competition,” said FIFA’s Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.

Seven female assistant referees from across the world (one from each continent) have been chosen by FIFA along with 70 male referees .