December 24, 2001

A nice holiday story as Real Madrid leads the way for women referees

Mario Rimati

For the first time in the history of that country’s men’s game, the Centenary Derby match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to be played on January 2^nd in the legendary Santiago Bernabeu stadium of Madrid (site of the 1982 World Cup final between Italy and W. Germany and home of one of the world’s most prestigious clubs, Real Madrid) will be refereed by a woman, Carolina Domenech Ceballos. The day after the match Ms. Ceballos will become officially a FIFA referee.

Your correspondent was in Spain this summer on holiday and paid a visit to the Bernabeau stadium one of the "temples" of international soccer, along with Wembley and the Maracana. Real Madrid's museum probably comes second to none in terms of trophies and awards. What was interesting to note while touring the stadium was the new refurbished dressing rooms, including a room entirely dedicated to women referees.

While Spanish women's soccer might be just as strangled with Latin machismo as Italy’s game, it looks like the Spaniards are taking steps forward in the advancement of women’s rights in the world of sports.