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The Albanian referee Emanuela Rusta has given an interview to foreign media, emphasizing the fact that now it has come "on the tip of her nose" that is labeled as "sex".
Rusta, 30, hails from Albania and became the first woman to referee a Men's Albanian Super League match.
She was previously active on social media, posting bikini photos and working out at the gym, but has now closed her social media account due to sexist messages on the platform. Rusta, who will referee the women's Champions League match between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid, believes the media coverage of her appearance has made it difficult for her to reach the same level as her male counterparts.
"They should focus more on my professionalism than on other things. You have to fight hard to be accepted," she told AFP.
Despite having to deal with comments about her physical appearance off the field, Rusta feels that she is respected on the field and hopes to have more opportunities for her profession.
"Arbitration is not a matter of gender, but competence. The (Albanian) referees association has always focused on the promotion of women, so my case is not a coincidence. I hope the day is not far off when there will be four women refereeing a match in the top men's division. Although it seems to be a predominantly male environment, I feel respected and appreciated for the work I do on the field."
Rusta could follow in the footsteps of fellow female referee Stephanie Frappart, who became the first woman to officiate a men's Champions League match between Juventus and Dynamo Kyiv in 2020. She was also part of the squad for the match between Germany and Costa Rica in the 2022 World Cup.
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