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July 9, 2004

FIFA Referee Sonia Denoncourt hangs up her officiating boots

Denoncourt has announced her retirement from refereeing after twenty seven years at all levels of the game including her appointment as the first female FIFA international referee in 1994.

This year in January she was appointed as one of the FIFA instructors. Denoncourt began her officiating career in 1978, and in 1994 became the first female international FIFA referee. Considered one of the top female referees in the world, Denoncourt was appointed as one of only 25 FIFA Instructors in January.

She refereed at World Cups Sweden 1995, USA 1999, USA 2003, Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 and in USA 1996, as well as numerous CONCACAF and National Championshipsincluding the first FIFA World Female All-Star game in 1997.