Albanian football referee Emanuela Rusta has expressed her frustration over being constantly labeled as "the sexy ref" after officiating in the Women’s Champions League. At 30, Rusta has made significant strides in her career, becoming the first woman to referee a men’s Albanian SuperLiga match and recently officiating a Champions League match between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid.
Despite her achievements, Rusta has been the target of sexist remarks, often receiving inappropriate messages about her appearance on social media. As a result, she has deactivated her Instagram account. Media in her home country frequently emphasize her looks, with headlines such as "The sexy referee who raises the temperature" overshadowing her professional work.
Rusta, in an interview, called for more attention to be paid to her skills rather than her appearance. “They should focus more on my professionalism than on other things," she said. Rusta also highlighted the challenges female referees face in being taken seriously in the sport. "Refereeing is not a question of gender, but of competence," she emphasized, adding that she hopes to see more women officiating top-level men’s matches soon.
Despite the male-dominated environment, Rusta noted that she feels respected for her work on the field. She also credited the Albanian Referees Association for supporting the promotion of women in the sport. Following in the footsteps of female referees like Stephanie Frappart, who made history by officiating men's Champions League and World Cup matches, Rusta continues to challenge gender barriers in football.
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