ROME: Sunday will see Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi become the first woman to referee a match in Serie A – Sassuolo v Salernitana.

Ferrieri Caputi already made history in December 2021 by refereeing a match involving a Serie A team – Cagliari’s second round Coppa Italia tie against Cittadella, from Serie B. She made her mark by disallowing three goals.

In July, at the age of 31, Ferrieri Caputi was promoted among the group of Serie A referees.

Alfredo Trentalange, the former international official who is now Italian referees’ president, said: “This is not just any day, it is a historic moment, I am very excited.

“Maria Sole will debut in Serie A based on her merit. We do not grant privileges. She deserved it. It is a success for the entire refereeing community.”

Born in Livorno and a sociologist, Ferrieri Caputi joined the referees’ association in 2007, starting in the provincial and regional leagues before starting to officiate in Serie D matches in 2015.

Her next step came in 2019 when she refereed two qualifying matches for the Women’s Euro Cup and, the following year, made the jump to Serie C, as well as officiating a Serie B match between Cittadella and SPAL.

In 2021, Ferrieri Caputi refereed 23 Serie C matches, three Serie B matches and two Coppa Italia matches. FIFA has selected her for U-17 Women’s World Cup from October 11 to 30 in India.

########