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They deserve this opportunity’: Women referees to officiate for first time in FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 5/20/2022 4:49:52 PM

New Delhi, May 19 In a historical step to be inclusive in the world of football, FIFA has decided that they will include three women referees in their global showpiece event set to be held in Qatar later this year. A bold step, considering that the even will be held in the Middle East, FIFA in a statement said that this move was has been long time coming and the decision concludes a long process. "This concludes a long process that began several years ago with the deployment of female referees at FIFA men's junior and senior tournaments," said Pierluigi Collina, FIFA Referees Committee chairman. "They deserve to be at the FIFA World Cup because they constantly perform at a really high level, and that's the important factor for us,” he further added. Three women referees and three women assistant referees will be part of the World Cup, which is set to be the last one for two of the best footballers that have ever taken the field - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The event begins on November 21 and the final is set to be played in December 18. Referees Stephanie Frappart from France, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda and Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita, as well as assistant referees Neuza Back from Brazil, Karen Diaz Medina from Mexico and American Kathryn Nesbitt have all been called up. A total of 36 referees, 69 assistant referees and 24 video match officials have been chosen by FIFA for the tournament.