«It is a great honor to receive this recognition at home, it is also an award for my association and for all the Tuscan women who have preceded me. I come from 16 years of sacrifices, I am happy that the dream has come true ».
Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi, first female referee in Serie A, from Livorno, 32 years old yesterday, received today the special Pegasus for women within the event of the Tuscany Region on the female universe. The governor of Tuscany Eugenio Giani presented her in Coverciano, with the president of the regional council, Antonio Mazzeo, among others present . «I was lucky because Tuscany also offered prominent personalities at the arbitration level - continued Ferreri Caputi who made his debut in Serie A directing Sassuolo-Salernitana on 2 October last -. What struck me the most in this first period? Certainly the level of professionalism in which I have entered that has changed both from the players and from the clubs and from my fellow referees. I thank my association, Lega A and the Federation. A particular compliment from a male colleague? I dwell more and more on criticism," he smiled. The world of football is still permeated by prejudices. "I ask you to judge me as a referee and not as a female referee, to always pay attention to my refereeing performance and not on the attitudes I may have in relation to my gender".
Caputi Ferreri will direct the women's Champions League match between Real Madrid and Chelsea on Wednesday : he has already achieved many goals but he has many others in the drawer after applauding Orsato's direction yesterday in the opening match of the World Cup between Qatar and Ecuador: «It is our highest representative, we are inspired by him. Me tomorrow at the World Cup? Today there are three female referees and three assistant referees, I hope I can do it too, managing to reach their levels with my work. There have been big changes in these two years, we wanted to invest a lot in the women's movement. The theme of inclusion is important, which is at the heart of the Region's initiative, it is rarely talked about and not always in an incisive way, for me it is a pride to represent all of this». «This recognition - Giani's words - is for a full-blooded Livornese, a true Tuscan, a woman who has known how to climb a difficult world. Maria Sole is a symbol in sport that must open up more and more to women».
Final curtain: the president of the Region went to the penalty spot to beat a penalty (in Porta Mazzeo) at the whistle of Caputi Ferreri.
(Unioneonline)
