UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Group Stage (Matches 21-24)

17 July 2022

Switzerland – Netherlands
Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu (ROU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Petruta Iugulescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Anita Vad (HUN)
Fourth Official: Lorraine Watson (SCO)
VAR: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
AVAR: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Referee Observer: Katarzyna Wierzbowska (POL)

Sweden – Portugal
Referee: Stephanie Frappart (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Elodie Coppola (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Manuela Nicolosi (FRA)
Fourth Official: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
AVAR: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)
Referee Observer: Blaženka Logarušić (CRO)

18 July 2022

Iceland - France
Referee: Jana Adamkova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Lucie Ratajova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Sukenikova (CZE)
Fourth Official: Lorraine Watson (SCO)
VAR: Tiago Martins (POR)
AVAR: Christopher Kavanagh (ENG)
Referee Observer: Blaženka Logarušić (CRO)

 
Italy – Belgium
Referee: Ivana Martinčić (CRO)
Assistant Referee 1: Sanja Rodjak-Karšić (CRO)
Assistant Referee 2: Staša Špur (SVN)
Fourth Official: Ivana Projkovska (MKD)
VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
AVAR: Dennis Higler (NED)
Referee Observer: Katarzyna Wierzbowska (POL)

DFB Referees of the Year 2022: Aytekin and Rafalski

Deniz Aytekin and Katrin Rafalski are the "DFB Referees of the Year 2022". Both have been honored for the second time in their careers: Aytekin in 2019, Rafalski in 2015. The elite referees say the title is by no means less important.

Deniz Aytekin says: "We saw so many great referees and very good refereeing performances in the past season, there were other colleagues who certainly deserved this award. In this respect, the honor of DFB Referee of the Year 2022 is very special for me, I'm really happy." The 43-year-old FIFA referee sees the award as "an incredible appreciation of our performance as a team last season. With Christian Dietz and Markus Sinn, I have two wonderful assistants who not only stand out for their performance on the field, but also bring an incredible empathy - they share the joy and the difficult moments with me. That connects us so strongly and allows us to achieve a special performance in special games."

Lutz Michael Fröhlich, Managing Director of Sport and Communication at DFB Schiri GmbH, says: "Deniz Aytekin is a referee who is highly valued by everyone. With his appearance on the field and in public in general, he is an excellent ambassador for the referees. In his communication, he is modern and diverse, with a positive image for the referee job and the necessary focus for referees. This is reflected in his overall very good 2021/2022 season - including challenging games in the DFB Cup semi-final between the Hamburger SV and SC Freiburg and the relegation second leg between HSV and Hertha BSC."

Katrin Rafalski explains: "I'm really happy and very proud. I'm grateful to everyone who has accompanied me on my way and always supported me." The 40-year-old referee has been working mainly as an assistant for several years, "so the award is also a great appreciation for the work of assistant referees." Her next goals are a successful European Women's Championship and a "good transition" into the new season. "Of course, I hope to take part in the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand," said Rafalski. "But above all is health."

Christine Baitinger, who is responsible for the women referees on the DFB referees committee, congratulates the award winner: "Katrin Rafalski has been a regular fixture in the women's Bundesliga for years. As an assistant in the Second Bundesliga for men, she is one of our most successful referees. Despite a busy schedule, she always finds the time to support our young referees on and off the pitch - at matches and with training. This is very important for the overall development of the referees. We are therefore proud and grateful to have Katrin in our ranks. Sporty and above all human, she deserves this award."

Source: DFB

UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Group Stage (Matches 17-20)

15 July 2022

Northern Ireland – England
Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Susann Küng (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Franca Overtoom (NED)
Fourth Official: Riem Hussein (GER)
VAR: Harm Osmers (GER)
AVAR: Christian Dingert (GER)
Referee Observer: Caroline De Boeck (BEL)

Austria – Norway
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR)
Assistant Referee 1: Maryna Striletska (UKR)
Assistant Referee 2: Paulina Baranowska (POL)
Fourth Official: Ivana Projkovska (MKD)
VAR: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
AVAR: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Referee Observer: Katarzyna Wierzbowska (POL)

16 July 2022
Finland – Germany
Referee: Emikar Calderas (VEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Migdalia Rodriguez (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Mary Blanco (COL)
Fourth Official: Marta Huerta de Aza (ESP)
VAR: Tiago Martins (POR)
AVAR: Luis Godinho (POR)
Referee Observer: Caroline De Boeck (BEL)

Denmark – Spain
Referee: Rebecca Welch (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Sian Massey-Ellis (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Lisa Rashid (ENG)
Fourth Official: Ivana Martinčić (CRO)
VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
AVAR: Dennis Higler (NED)
Referee Observer: Jenny Palmqvist (SWE)

CONMEBOL Women’s Copa America 2022 – Group Stage (Matches 9-12)

14 July 2022

Paraguay – Bolivia
Referee: Anahi Fernandez (URU, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Luciana Mascarana (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Adela Sanchez (URU)
Fourth Official: Elizabeth Tintaya (PER)

Chile – Ecuador
Referee: Edina Alves (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Neuza Back (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mariana de Almeida (ARG)
Fourth Official: Laura Fortunato (ARG)

15 July 2022
Argentina – Uruguay
Referee: Maria Daza (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Eliana Ortiz (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Nataly Arteaga (COL)
Fourth Official: Susana Corella (ECU)

Peru – Venezuela
Referee: Sandra Bastos (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Andreia Ferreira (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Rita Cabanero (ESP)
Fourth Official: Zulma Quinonez (PAR)

Referee Foster relishing her Euro debut

Foster, from Bangor in North Wales, has seen both sides of football on the pitch; firstly, as a fine top-flight footballer and, nowadays, as an equally accomplished top referee. She made her Women’s Euro 2022 bow as the first-ever referee from Wales to take part in this tournament when she officiated the Group C encounter between the Netherlands and Sweden in Sheffield.

Foster, 41, enjoyed an excellent playing career as a forward which included nine years with Liverpool, playing in the team at the start of England’s FA Women’s Super League. She made her senior international debut for Wales in 1997 and, by 2009, had become the all-time record appearance holder for Wales at that moment, eventually winning 63 caps over 14 years. “I’m very proud of every single one of those caps,” she reflects, “especially in an era of women’s football when it was quite difficult to get so many.” Foster decided not to continue her playing career in 2013 after a brief spell with Doncaster Belles. So how did the transition to refereeing come about? “The jump was basically because I was coming to the end of my playing career,” she says. “I had a few choices - do I carry on playing, or do I go into coaching? But the email was returned from the refereeing department in the Welsh FA… and that’s the beginning of the story. I was asked to attend a course, and that was it. One door shuts and another door opens, and I’m really pleased I made that decision.”

Foster was first named on the international list in December 2015 and became the first female referee in the Welsh Premier League in August 2018. What were the hurdles that Foster faced coming into refereeing fresh from a top playing career? “It was difficult; there were challenges along the way,” she says. “I’ve had to learn the other side of the game, the demands of a referee. I didn’t know where this journey was going to take me. But I always say now that when I was a player, I wish I’d done a referee course, because then I’d have appreciated how difficult the role is.” How has her ‘previous life’ as a player helped Foster as a referee? “For me, I suppose, it’s just the understanding of the game, having played it and having that love for the game. I loved playing. Being on the pitch is an amazing feeling – and, actually, now being a referee, I always say that I’m in the best seat in the house. I’m in the middle of it! What I would say is that if a career stops or the career comes to a point as a player, then why not continue as a referee! You get the same buzz, the same experiences being a referee.” Cheryl Foster is savouring the feeling of being part of the refereeing team at the Women’s Euro in England. “To be the first Welsh female official at a major tournament… you know, it’s on a par with 63 caps; it’s on a par with singing that national anthem; it’s on a par with playing at Anfield… if not better. It’s a major achievement. I never got that opportunity as a player, but I’m here now as a referee, and I can’t wait to grasp the opportunity.”

Source: UEFA

CONCACAF Women’s Championship 2022 – Semi-finals

14 July 2022

Canada – Jamaica
Referee: Melissa Borjas (HON, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Shirley Perello (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Lourdes Noriega (HON)
Fourth Official: Marianela Araya (CRC)
VAR: Katia Garcia (MEX)
AVAR: Ekaterina Koroleva (USA)

USA – Costa Rica
Referee: Astrid Gramajo (GUA)
Assistant Referee 1: Karen Diaz (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivett Santiago (CUB)
Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton (JAM)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
AVAR: Mayte Chavez (MEX)

A dream come true for Venezuelan referee Calderas

Referee Emikar Calderas Barrera made her UEFA Women's E debut by officiating the Group A fixture between Austria and Northern Ireland in Southampton. One of 13 referees at the finals, Calderas Barrera is the only one who hails from outside of Europe. Her involvement is a product of the longstanding mutual relationship between UEFA and CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation, and the fulfilment of a professional ambition.

"It’s a dream come true," she smiles. "I'm very motivated and looking forward to doing my best. "It’s all about experience - it’s a very high standard of football and it will really benefit me a lot for following tournaments, but also for my personal development as a referee." The UEFA-CONMEBOL partnership saw Argentina’s Fernando Rapallini officiate at Euro 2020 last summer and Calderas Barrera is delighted to be following in his footsteps. "That was really emotional for me because I thought: 'One day, there will be a South American woman referee who will experience that too,'" the 32-year-old says. "I’ve always dreamt of being there at any time, and I think that now my chance has arrived, I’m very glad about it. "This relationship and feedback between UEFA and CONMEBOL allow us to get to know different cultures, people, refereeing styles and football styles. I think it’s very positive."

Calderas Barrera's own footballing journey began as a little girl. She played throughout childhood, eventually attending a refereeing course, where she admits, "it was like love at first sight." She took charge of her first game in 2010 and has since risen through the ranks in her home nation and on the international stage, taking part in the Arnold Clark Cup, a warm-up tournament held in England earlier this year, as part of her preparations. "I decided that I wanted to become a referee and from that moment I started my training by refereeing mostly men’s football, because in Venezuela there aren’t many women’s football matches," she explains. "I started refereeing grassroots teams, then I moved up to the third division, then to Segunda B, then to Segunda, and finally in 2016 I got the chance to referee in the first division. Since then, I’ve been refereeing in the first division."

Her experiences, and those of compatriot Migdalia Rodriguez Chirino, who is among 25 assistant referees at Women's Euro 2022, have piqued the interest of their fellow members of the team of officials, with plenty of ideas and observations already exchanged. "They’ve given me a great welcome. They’re very nice and caring. They usually ask me if I’ve understood everything or if I need something. I’d imagined that the situation would be completely different, but I’m very glad of the way they have welcomed me," she says. "We talk about football a lot because the styles are very different: the levels of physical contact, the strength, players’ power, but you must manage the game. That’s very important. When I refereed at the Arnold Clark Cup, I realised that here [in Europe] players don’t usually complain; they don’t say anything. It was very positive for me, and it confirmed that I was doing a good performance." There has also been a reunion with a refereeing friend, Marta Huerta de Aza of Spain, with whom she shares a native language. "I actually met Marta in 2019 in the World University Games in Italy," she says. "We forged a great friendship and we’ve then crossed paths on several occasions, and also with other referees in FIFA." Calderas Barrera will have little time to dwell on events in England over the next three weeks, with another global assignment at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica to follow next month. You can be sure, however, that when she finds time to relax and unwind, she will be able to reflect on the summer of a lifetime.

Source: UEFA

CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 – Quarter-finals

13 July 2022

Zambia – Senegal
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (MAR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Fatiha Jermoumi (MAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Yara Abdefattah (EGY)
Fourth Official: Shahenda El Maghrabi (EGY)
VAR: Samir Guezzaz (MAR)
AVAR: Zakaria Brinssi (MAR)

Morocco – Botswana
Referee: Vincentia Amedome (TOG)
Assistant Referee 1: Carine Atezambong (CMR)
Assistant Referee 2: Fanta Kone (MLI)
Fourth Official: Sonia Kore (CIV)
VAR: Haythem Guirat (TUN)
AVAR: Dorsaf Ganouati (TUN)

14 July 2022
Cameroon – Nigeria
Referee: Akhona Makalima (RSA)
Assistant Referee 1: Bernadettar Kwimbira (MWI)
Assistant Referee 2: Diana Chikotesha (ZAM)
Fourth Official: Suavis Iratunga (BDI)
VAR: Lahlou Benbraham (ALG)
AVAR: Amhad Heeralall (MRI)

South Africa – Tunisia
Referee: Salima Mukansanga (RWA)
Assistant Referee 1: Queency Victoire (MRI)
Assistant Referee 2: Mimisen Iyorhe (NGA)
Fourth Official: Shamirah Nabadda (UGA)
VAR: Ahmed Al Ghandour (EGY)
AVAR: Ahmed Hossam (EGY)

OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022

Fiji, 13-30 July 2022

Referees

1. Anna-Marie Keighley (NZL, photo)
2. Beth Rattray (NZL)
3. Torika Delai (FIJ)
4. Shama Maemae (SOL)
5. Delvin Joel (VAN)

Assistant Referees
1. Maria Salamasina (SAM)
2. Sarah Jones (NZL, photo)
3. Allys Clipsham (NZL)
4. Heloise Simons (NZL)
5. Adi Gadolo (FIJ)
6. Jemima Rao (FIJ)
7. Stephanie Minan (PNG)
8. Natalia Lumukana (SOL)
9. Vaihina Teura (TAH)
10. Lata Kaumatule (TGA)
11. Feliuaki Kolotau (TGA)

Great pride in the rise and growth of African women’s refereeing

The WAFCON referees have been outstanding in this competition so far and the atmosphere was jovial and relaxed at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, as journalists were allowed insight into the preparations of the match officials ahead of the tournament’s knockout stages. Despite the intensity of the physical work and exercises were put through just before facing the media, the referees welcomed the press with a smile and embracing their central role in the tournament.

One of the most prominent referees on the continent and one of the most experienced, Moroccan Bouchra Karboubi, has been a trailblazer in the sport and she has been enjoying officiating in her home country. “It is wonderful to see women's referees officiating in the matches of a competition of this magnitude. There are some men who are present on VAR duty and we help each other in the most beautiful way, but the vast majority of referees here are ladies and we have received the promise that at the next competition it will be exclusively women”, says Karboubi. With Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, Karboubi made history when they officiated at the recent men’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, and the Moroccan referee is happy that in general African women’s refereeing is developing well.

Cameroonian assistant referee, Carine Atezambong, is delighted with the use of VAR technology for the first time in this edition, from start to finish. “As a woman, it's first and foremost my competition and that of all women. Even if I officiate in men's matches, there are a lot of novelties in this edition. This is the very first time that VAR has been used for this WAFCON and it is the very first time that the refereeing body is mainly made up of women. CAF has put all the means in place to develop women's football in all its aspects. There were three intense seminars to train female referees in VAR technology. Officiating a match with VAR is very different, than leading a match without this technology, so it's a huge step we're taking,” said Atezambong.

Mamadou Haidara, CAF’s referee manager, has been very satisfied with the level of refereeing during the group stage of the WAFCON. “There is no match which one can say has been affected by the decisions of the referees. We could see the result of all the work we did before the tournament. It is the result of a development plan that we have put in place. The women referees were assistants to male referees at first, before having women’s only sessions. Three months ago, only two women were qualified and used to VAR, Bouchra Karboubi and Salima Mukansanga. We did two internships, one in Cairo and one in Rabat, and we managed to qualify all the referees and they are now all comfortable with this technology”, says Haidara. He takes great pride in CAF being one of the first confederations to use VAR in such a meaningful way in women's football. “Women’s African refereeing has a bright future ahead of it, I can assure you. We have competent referees who officiate in their respective local men's championships. Continuous work is the key to success,” says Haidara.

Mohamed Guezzaz, one of the instructors of referees at CAF, said the final preparations of referees for WAFCON started on June 25. “In the mornings, we insist on physical work, the afternoon is devoted to the theory, but also to the application of scenarios similar to what can happen on the field, whether for referees, assistants or VARs”, said Guezzaz. Regular debriefing sessions are held, preparatory matches take place, and there is a razor-sharp focus on preparing for the next round of matches. And as a high-quality team of professionals go through their paces in Rabat, at CAF there is a great sense of satisfaction and pride that the hard work that has been put in over many months and years are beginning to pay off.

Source: CAF