Hertha Berlin draw as Bundesliga’s first female ref makes debut

BERLIN: The Bundesliga’s first female referee oversaw a 1-1 draw between Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen.

“To be honest I’m relieved that it’s over,” Bibiana Steinhaus (pic) said after her debut in the top flight on Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to a return to normality tomorrow.”

The occasion was celebrated by the home side with a limited offer of half-price tickets for female supporters.

“This was a historical moment,” said German Football Association (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel, who was among some 50,000 spectators at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

“You shouldn’t forget that she was under pressure. And to make the right calls with such aplomb is a first-class performance,” Grindel added.

Steinhaus’ performance was also praised by the players.

“She did well, but that’s also no big surprise,” Hertha defender Sebastian Langkamp said.

Teammate Vedad Ibisevic simply said: “Huge respect.”

Steinhaus already had a decade’s experience of refereeing in Germany’s Second Division after becoming the first female referee in German professional football in 2007. She began by officiating women’s games for the DFB in 1999 and became a FIFA referee in 2005.

Mathew Leckie put Hertha ahead before the break with a fine shot through goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka’s legs but Thomas Delaney equalised for Bremen after doing well to elude a defender before the hour mark.