Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi will become the first woman official to take charge of a Serie A match when Sassuolo host Salernitana on Sunday, announced the Italian Referees Association (AIA).
The 31-year-old Ferrieri Caputi was promoted to the Italian league's refereeing pool for this season. She became the first female to referee a match involving a Serie A team last year, in Cagliari’s Italian Cup match against Cittadella. She disallowed three goals during that game. “It’s not an ordinary day and I’m also moved by it,” said Alfredo Trentalange, president of the Italian Referees Association. “Maria Sole will debut in Serie A on merit, without any shortcuts, for her ability and skills. We are about to experience a historic moment after more than 110 years. We thank those who believed in her. We are not granting any privileges; Maria Sole earned this step.”
Ferrieri Caputi became referee in 2007, working in the provincial and regional leagues, before she started officiating Serie D matches in 2015. Her next step came in 2019 when she oversaw two Women's European Championship qualifying games and, the following year, began refereeing Serie C matches. She also refereed a Serie B match last year, between Cittadella and Spal, a few months after Maria Marotta became the first female to officiate a second-division match in Italy.
Source: Reuters