This is a first in the world of international football. Sapir Berman, the 30 -year -old Israeli referee, will officer during the qualifications of the Women's Euro under 17 on Monday during the meeting between Northern Ireland and Montenegro. The reason for this event? Sapir Berman is transgender, born man and became a woman in 2021 after years of transition and a
come out carried out in 2018.
If members of the LGBTQ+ community have already whistled during international meetings, never a transgender person had this opportunity. Berman officiates in Ligat Ha'al Israeli, the local elite and is considered one of the best in the profession in the Middle East. She thus refereed the playoff match on Saturday between Maccabi such as Aviv and Hapoël Haifa.
In France, the exception Nicolas Pottier
In France, ex-international arbitrator Nicolas Pottier is the only one to have come out at the end of his career, in reaction to the refusal of certain players to display the colors of the LGBTQ+ flag during the day against homophobia. In other sports, referees, such as the American Bill Kennedy in the NBA, are active without hiding their sexual orientation.
After refereing two games from this U17 Euro, Sapir Berman will return to the Israeli championship, perhaps before new opportunities on the international scene.
