ROME: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi, 31, is to become the first woman to referee in Italy’s Serie A this coming season.

Ferrieri Caputi, born in Livorno, made history for the first time last December on becoming the first female referee in a match involving a Serie A team.

This was a second round Coppa Italia tie in which Cagliari beat Cittadella, from Serie B, by 3-1. She disallowed three goals in that match.

Alfredo Trentalange, Italian referees’ supremo, said: “It is a very beautiful moment and one of great satisfaction and it is also sad to think that someone should be surprised by the presence of a woman.

“Obviously it’s news that Maria Sole will be the first woman in Serie A and it’s a historic moment, but promotion is an advance that comes through merit and not privilege.”

Ferrieri Caputi started refereeing seven years ago and was promoted to Serie C five years later. She officiated in Serie B last year, a few months after Maria Marotta became the first woman to do so in the second tier of Italian football.

** Cross-city rivals champions Milan and cup-holders Internazionale will contest the Italian Supercup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 18.

###