UEFA named Monzul as one of the most successful women referees in Europe

21.12.2020 13:15

Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul is one of the women referees who have worked in European Cup matches and successfully break stereotypes in modern football. 

UEFA in its publication on the official website, in particular, stated:

"The December match of the 5th round of the Champions League in Torino between Juventus and Dynamo Kyiv went down in history. For the first time, the main referee in this European Cup was a woman - Stephanie Frappart.

Her appointment to this game attracted the attention of the press from around the world. UEFA, meanwhile, allowed Frappart to hold the match in the usual way, based on the fact that the Frenchwoman is one of the best referees in Europe. It was not the first time Frappart had attracted attention. So, in 2019 she worked at the final of the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul.

However, she is not the only woman referee who regularly works at matches in men's football. This season, Ukrainian Kateryna Monzul refereed matches in both the Nations League and the Europa League. Moreover, the match on November 3 between Gent and Slovan became the first in the tournament, when the female referee was assisted by assistants Oleksandra Ardasheva and Maryna Striletska.

Successful experience

"Appointments are made on the basis of merit, and these women, through their hard work and dedication, have earned the right to work at such a high level," said UEFA Senior Refereeing Officer Roberto Rosetti. - The appointment of women referees in men's tournament matches should not surprise anyone. In recent years, UEFA has worked hard to ensure the equal development of refereeing, men's and women's, throughout Europe. Now we see the fruits of this work. We have proof that this approach works".

Women at the highest level

And it's true. In men's football at the highest level, more and more women assistants are referees. Since the 2014/2015 season, Chrysula Kurobilia from Greece has been working as an assistant referee at UEFA men's tournaments. From 2019, Shan Messi-Ellis from England will serve the matches of the Europa League and the League of Nations in the same capacity. This season, Spain's Guadalupe Porras followed in their footsteps. German Bibiana Steinhaus, who ended her judicial career this year, has successfully worked in the Bundesliga and is now regularly involved in Champions League matches as a member of the VAR team. 

How UEFA is developing women's refereeing in Europe

Such impressive progress in providing judges with equal opportunities regardless of gender is not accidental. This is the result of UEFA's long-term strategy, launched in 2003, when Nicole Petina became the first woman to serve as a referee in a men's match under the auspices of UEFA. It happened in the match of the previous round of the UEFA Cup between Swedish AIK and Iceland's Filkir.

Since 2013, women and men have been participating in winter and summer refereeing courses, which bring together both top-level referees and those who have just received an FIFA international qualification. These seminars help judges prepare for the season and assess their progress. Courses include fitness tests, lectures and instruction. All this helps the referees to be better prepared for the requirements of matches at the highest level.

"We are very pleased with the way Europe's leading judges, men and women, are coping with this challenge," said Roberto Rosetti. - They demonstrate incredible professionalism in their training and treat their condition and health with exceptional responsibility. Over the years, their physical condition has reached the level of the players themselves with our help. They know what they need to do and are ready for future matches. We are very proud of them. "