They were born on the same day, they think the same, they study the same and have the same goal: to be professional referees. Diana Isabel, Manuela and Maria Camila Vasquez Franco were born in Pennsylvania (Caldas) 19 years ago. Their passion for refereeing was inherited from Don Felipe, their father, a football, mini-football and basketball referee in the Caldense municipality and the entire region. Before becoming referees, they played volleyball and basketball.
All three sisters study Sports and Recreation Sciences at the Technological University of Pereira. They are in fifth, first and second semester, respectively. They have suffered in their own flesh the issue of machismo. “Refereeing in Colombia is still very sexist. It has happened to us that when we go to a field to whistle, they tell us that we have nothing to do there because we are women”, confessed Maria Camila. The triplets are identical genetically. A condition that has been in the lives of the Vasquez Franco sisters since they were babies, when their parents put different colored pacifiers on them so as not to confuse them. "For people who do not know us, we are the same, but for us we do see ourselves very differently," added Diana Isabel. On several occasions the three sisters have been together on the same playing field, a fact that has given rise to curious situations. "Here in Pennsylvania, we have had to make up the same trio with the three of us," said Manuela. They have been confused even at half-time, commented Maria Camila. “It has already happened to us that when the break ends and we go out for the second half, they ask us if the same bad one is going to referee the second half (laughs). We had to clarify it with the coaches, "explained Maria Camila.
“Our dream is to become referees with a FIFA badge”, added Diana Isabel. In their short, but ascending, career in amateur refereeing, they have had the opportunity to referee matches in both men's and women's tournaments. Although it seems a paradoxical fact, the triplets consider that it is more difficult to manage women. “Men are sometimes more respectful of our decisions. However, the responsibility is the same in any match, whether it is for men or women,” Manuela said. The crystallization of the Women's League in the country, beyond the fact that its duration is not ideal, is an opportunity for these young referees to aspire to be in the professional branch very soon. They want to walk the path of great Colombian referees who have marked history. One of their referents at the national level is Nicolas Gallo, also from Caldas, a member of a professional panel, international referee, regarded as one of the best in the continent, especially in the subject of VAR. “For all three of us, what Nicolas has done is a benchmark. We really like what his career has been. We recently had the opportunity to meet him. My sisters had the chance to assist him in a match. The path that he has had inspired us”, said Maria Camila. Although they have different personalities, the triplets would like to be together in a Women's World Cup. “We would love to participate in a World Cup. We don't know what destiny is going to bring us, but we are working towards that goal," said Diana Isabel. For the moment, the Vasquez Franco sisters will continue to gain experience in departmental and national competitions, hoping that very soon they will be able to make the leap to professional refereeing.
Source: El Pais