MRenowned soccer referee Anuella Nicolosi, who has officiated more than 200 professional matches, has slammed the sport’s sexist environment, claiming she was once advised to lower her image because she was “too visible”.
Technical errors and failures in athletic tests are another thing. But it’s a big problem to be stopped by people saying, “You’re flashy.”
the most dominant soccer club in the world
The famous referee, who officiated at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, was the first Italian to referee a Women’s World Cup final in 2019 and was an assistant in Liverpool’s Super Cup win over Chelsea in the same year.
I had almost given up
In an interview with Quotidiano Sportivo, he complained that his image was causing problems for his refereeing career.
It took me this long to build my career because I never gave up…
“All my bosses told me: You have to be less obvious. You attract too much attention,” she told Alessandro Berardetti.
Manuela Nicolosi, 45, recalls, “There was a year in France when I didn’t move up from Serie C to Serie B because I was too conspicuous.I was about to give up.It’s one thing to make a technical mistake or fail an athletic test.But being called ‘flashy’ and being held back is a big problem.”
“I left Italy when I was 20 years old because I realized that Italy didn’t want female referees. They allow you to reach a certain level, regional level, but after that they put up obstacles in every sense of the word,” she admitted.
Manuela Nicolisi admits to harassment from some soccer players during her career
Manuela Nicolosi has revealed the toughest moment she experienced as a soccer referee.
(Insinuations from players) It happened, but I never gave in. I’m not the kind of person who dreams of getting involved with soccer players.
“I was a referee in the Eccerenza League for Lazio, and after the game I barricaded myself in the locker room. The coach and technical director of one of the teams yelled at me: “I’m going to kill you, get out!” I called the police and they took me out. I remember it like it was yesterday,” he recalls.
Manuela Nicolosi also admitted to the harassment she received from some soccer players during her career. “I don’t want to talk about it. I never gave in. That’s why it took me so long to build my career… There were (innuendos from players) but I never gave in. I’m not someone who dreams of being associated with football players.”
Manuela Nicolisi becomes the first female referee in the Kings League
The Italian-French referee continues his career in the Kings League.
“New rules, new president but always with the same determination and enthusiasm to participate in this great event as the sole referee,” she shared on social media.
