STAUBLI TO BE FIRST FEMALE REFEREE AT CUP

Switzerland’s Esther Staubli will become the first female referee to officiate a match at the U-17 World Cup when Japan take on New Caledonia in the final round Group E match here on Saturday. This is in line with Fifa’s objective to develop women’s football as the 38-year-old is one of seven women referees invited to the tournament in India where all the male and female match officials, nominated by Fifa’s Referees Committee, have completed a host of activities together in a series of seminars, including theory and practical sessions. Women referees will also have an opportunity to gain more experience. High-level competition matches are often limited regionally and so such opportunities are crucial as the referees prepare for the Women’s World Cup in 2019. “In having the opportunity to now work together with their male colleagues at the Fifa U-17 World Cup India 2017, Fifa’s female referees are one step further in their preparation and in their careers at the top level,” a statement said.