FIFA confirms Drahşan Arda as first woman football referee

ISTANBUL – Demirören News Agency

The international governing football body FIFA has confirmed that Drahşan Arda, a Turkish woman, is the first woman football referee.

“It is an honor to be a first in history. I was enthusiastic about my first match exactly 50 years ago. With the letter FIFA sent me, I lived through that excitement all over again,” Arda said.

She also posted the letter sent to her from FIFA on Dec. 13 on one of her social media accounts and said FIFA “finally credited” her as the first woman referee worldwide.

Arda completed her referee training during the 1967-68 season and received her certificate in Turkey’s northern province of Zonguldak.

She then moved to Germany and began to officiate at matches in the German region of Bavaria. Also a teacher, Arda received a golden badge and plaque for her 30 years in the profession by the Football Federation of Bavaria.

Even though in 1985 the “First Turkish Woman Referee” was presented to Elmas Arabacı, Arda has from time to time, expressed that she had in fact deserved the title of “first woman referee.”

She also said that following her, Sema Tokat is the second woman referee worldwide.