German policewoman is first top-flight female ref

BERLIN: A 38-year-old German policewoman will next season become the first female referee in Europe’s top leagues after she was promoted to officiate in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Bibiana Steinhaus has been a fourth official for Bundesliga matches and although a German FA (DFB) referee since 1999, knows the spotlight will be on her when she takes charge of a top-flight game.

“For every referee, whether a man or a woman, it is always a big goal to be able to blow a whistle in the Bundesliga,” she told DFB.de.

Steinhaus, girlfriend of Englishman Howard Webb, 45, who refereed the 2014 World Cup final, said: “I have worked very hard for this in the last few years and suffered a few set-backs.

“Of course, I am aware that I will be the first female referee in the Bundesliga and will be closely watched by the media and the public,” she added, having refereed 80 second-division games since 2007.

“I am used to this pressure and am convinced I will find my feet quickly in the Bundesliga.”

Steinhaus made headlines in October 2014 when then Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola put his arm around her shoulders, when she was the fourth official at a Bundesliga game, while arguing about a refereeing decision.

Steinhaus coolly brushed Guardiola’s arm off and the Spaniard was criticised in the German media for inappropriate conduct.

And in December 2015 during a second-division game she sent off Kerem Demirbay for a second booking.

The then-Fortuna Duesseldorf midfielder was banned for five games for telling Steinhaus that “women have no place in men’s football” as he trudged off.

As a further punishment, his club made Demirbay, who now plays for Hoffenheim, referee a girl’s football match.