Carvajal first woman to referee men’s match in Chile

SANTIAGO: Chile will become the latest country to boast a female referee in men’s professional football, following the announcement by the league (ANFP) that Maria Belen Carvajal will take charge of a Second Division match this weekend.

The 35-year-old, who was officiating at the recent Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay, will referee today’s match between Independiente de Cauquenes and Colchagua.

“I was not expecting it, it was a surprise,” Carvajal said in a statement. “They called me to congratulate me on my efforts in the Under17 World Cup in Uruguay and then they told me I was going to referee in the Second Division.

“I am happy because I know that the referee’s commission has confidence in me.”

Carvajal, who has already refereed Under-17 and Under-19 men’s matches, will be on duty at the Women’s World Cup in France next June.