Egyptian women's football referees push for league promotion – Football

On the sidelines of a small football field in a Cairo university, Hanan Hbadan remembers starting as a referee and the answer she received from a player's mother.

"From a loud voice she shouted looking at me," God bless you my daughter and hope my own daughter will become like you, "Hbadan recalls proudly.

For years, female referees in Egypt have officiated at lower-level football matches. "

" My colleagues abroad have already presided over the men's tournaments in their country, so why not in Egypt? My badistant Mona Atalla

Dressed in pants and a pink shirt bearing the FIFA logo, Hbadan and Atalla, both aged 37, presided over the women's friendly match of the Ain University Shams in the Egyptian capital

Hbadan started his career as a professional referee in 2006, Atalla was part of the first group of female referees registered in Egypt in 1998 who were allowed to oversee tournaments female and male juniors.

Apr In years on the field, Atalla and his colleague Pousy Said were finally allowed in April to officiate a match in the leagues of the second and third male divisions.

The decision of the Arbitration Committee of the Egyptian Football Association has raised the hope that female referees will soon hold red and yellow cards.

Atalla has already participated in international women's tournaments, including the Under-20 World Cup.

"Our expertise is not inferior to that of male referees, and the law (on football refereeing) is the same and should be implemented, "she added.

Hbadan, who also holds an international referee license, argued that women may have an edge in the field.

"If the men's game includes violence, the presence of a female referee could push some players," she says while standing on the ground, her hair covered.

"He is natural for me to make my decisions with a smile so that I absorb the anger of the person in front of me, "joked Hbadan

Combat Prejudice

According to the chairman of the arbitration committee, Azab Haggag, only 15 women work as referees in Egypt, out of the 60 registered by the national federation.

He sees no reason for women not to referee more high-level games, "but it must be done gradually so that fans are better prepared and accept."

Atalla, whose brothers and husband are also referees, said that she saw attitudes change during t

At first, "some people thought it strange that women play football, and even more so that they are officials … with the decision in her hands, "she said. As the work was done by women who do their job perfectly, people have become very proud of their presence on the field, "said Atalla.

Norhan Hamdy, a 21-year-old player who played in the match Ain Shams University, is one of the footballers who opposes female referees.

"As a football player I prefer that a man officiate my matches," said Hamdy, who believes that some female referees are influenced by their emotions and may be skewed towards their friends.

Determined to see female referees promoted in the top leagues, Atalla said that such prejudices must be confronted: "We must fight this thought. "