Women as Match Officials

Football viewers across the world were in for a surprise on the 22^nd of January. The ever-dynamic paradigm of football experienced a revolutionary measure when for the first time in the history of the sport; a woman, namely Sian Massey officiated in the Wolverhampton Wanderers-Liverpool game. Barring a few misogynistic spectators, most viewers welcomed it as an encouraging move. Facing the huge risk of drawing flak from feminists, this blogpost seeks to discuss how the move would impact the attitude of footballers and commentators on the field.

It is often said that football is a gentleman’s sport played by hooligans. With the introduction of women as match officials, bull-doggish protests by players would from now on be a thing of the past. In my view, player-referee run-ins only add to the spice of a match. Depriving us excitement-starving hooligans of a few violent and passionate moments is nothing but criminal!

Also, football presenters and commentators would from now on have to tread extreme caution while passing comments about referees. Expect no more damning judgments by the otherwise outspoken and forthright Martin Tyler and Andy Gray. Any criticism of a questionable decision by a female referee would draw a barrage of abuse from the feminist circles.

Despite all the issues surrounding the inclusion of women as match officials, the move will do a world of good in the empowerment of the female gender that has for decades been considered inferior to the male sex. It is my strong belief that this move is for the present and most certainly the future!