Thu. Apr 17th, 2025

Sapir Berman, the Israeli who will become the first transgender woman to referee an international soccer match.

Yellow and red cards in football. Photo: Benutzer:Christian Spitschka, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.Yellow and red cards in football. Photo: Benutzer:Christian Spitschka, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sapir Berman is an Israeli transgender woman with 14 years of experience refereeing soccer matches. However, the 30-year-old referee will mark a historic milestone for the sport: she will become the first transgender referee to officiate an international soccer match, in the Women's Under-17 European Championship qualifier between Northern Ireland and Montenegro in Belfast.

Although in 2018, Englishwoman Lucy Clark became the first trans woman to referee a match in a semi-professional league, Berman will set a precedent in international football.

In response to the news, Berman expressed that he is experiencing "an overwhelming feeling: immense pride, indescribable emotion, but above all, an opportunity to continue doing what I love in the world that shaped me."

She added that "when players see diversity on the field, it helps normalize inclusion and sends a clear message that what really matters is talent and commitment."

One thought on “Sapir Berman, the Israeli who will become the first transgender woman to referee an international soccer match”
  1. There are only two sexes, it is stupid and sinful for Israel if he does not want more curse, he should move away from sin.

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