A historic moment is set to unfold at the Copa America as female match officials will take charge of a game for the first time in the tournament’s history. Brazilian referees Edina Alves and Neuza Back, alongside Colombian Mary Blanco, have been appointed to officiate the match between Bolivia and Panama on July 2nd.
This groundbreaking decision follows the announcement last month that female match officials would be included in the Copa America for the first time. Alves and Maria Victoria Penso of the United States were named as referees in the tournament, supported by four assistants and a video review official. Nicaragua’s Tatiana Guzman was also designated as a video review official.
The support team for these historical appointments includes Neuza Back of Brazil, Mary Blanco of Colombia, Migdalia Rodriguez of Venezuela, and Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt of the U.S.
CONMEBOL, the South American football body, expressed their commitment to promoting the development and professionalization of women in football both on and off the field. This historic inclusion of female match officials at the Copa America represents a significant step towards gender equality in the sport.
