Sports

I chose myself, says first trans woman to officiate UEFA match

Published

1 year ago

September 12, 2025

Israeli referee Sapir Berman beamed as she recalled the moment her “dream came true” earlier this year, when she became the first transgender woman to officiate an international football match.

“I always wanted to be a woman, and I always wanted to be a football referee — and then those two came together and fused into one dream that just exploded with joy,” the 31-year-old told AFP.

“It’s an uplifting, powerful feeling — the feeling that I’m doing the right thing, that I’m choosing myself, that I’m showing the world it’s possible.

“Since I was five, I remember wanting to be a woman, wanting to be a girl. And when I started playing football, I realised that the dream of being a woman and playing football didn’t go together,” she said.

“So I decided to hide who I was and just keep playing football. I hid myself for almost 26 years.”

Berman grew up in a football-loving family, playing as a defender for around 10 years from around the age of five.

When she realised her professional ambitions were not working out, she joined the referees association and worked her way up to preside over men’s matches in the Israeli Premier League.

But all the while, Berman felt she was hiding her innermost secret and was even frustrated during the initial stage of her hormone therapy.

“I asked myself: ‘Is this what life will look like? Is this where it’s going?’” she said.

“I decided to reveal myself.”

Berman initially feared her career in football was over, but said her brother suggested she try to make it work.

– ‘A lot of questions’ –

England’s Lucy Clark became the first transgender woman in the world to referee a match in 2018, in the third tier of English women’s football, but has never officiated internationally.

When Berman officiated the Women’s Under-17 Euro qualifier between Northern Ireland and Montenegro in Belfast in March, it was a first for European football, according to UEFA.

Berman said the journey was not always easy, despite great support and professionalism from Israel’s referees association.

“There were a lot of questions, and a lot of moments where they said: ‘We don’t know what to do.’ And I also didn’t know what to do, what it involved, what to expect, or how the process would go,” she said.

Berman said that when she began hormone therapy as part of her transition, she initially felt resentful towards her body.

“Outside the field, I felt amazing. On the field, I felt that I destroyed my career,” she said.

She failed two fitness tests and was moved down a league, but with the help of a sports psychologist and “a lot of trial and error”, she made her comeback.

Berman received her international badge earlier this year and dreams of refereeing a match in the Champions League, the European Championship or the World Cup.

– ‘Different layers’ –

Transgender participation has become a hot-button issue as different sports try to balance inclusivity with ensuring fair competition.

Earlier this year, England’s Football Association announced that transgender women would no longer be allowed to play in women’s football.

Berman said she trusted those in decision-making bodies and expected them to “find the way to integrate, to unite, to diversify”.

“Human beings are made up of so many different layers, and you come and reject us for just one reason,” she said, explaining how an athlete’s performance could also be affected by mental, financial, geographical or familial factors.

On the pitch, Berman said she has received positive reactions from both players and supporters.

“The fans continued to curse me — only now, they did it in the feminine form,” she said, adding it “was a kind of stamp of approval — that they see me exactly as I am”.

And on the street, young people have told her that her story has given them hope.

“That fills me up. It gives me so much strength to keep going and doing what I do — because at the end of the day, I chose myself.”

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Sports

Barcelona fined €602 over Álvarez approach

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Barcelona have been handed a €602 fine by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a formal complaint from Atlético Madrid about the Catalan club’s handling of interest in striker Julián Álvarez.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, the sanction, confirmed on Tuesday, was imposed under Article 133 of the RFEF’s disciplinary regulations for failure to comply with orders, instructions, agreements or regulatory obligations.

It is classified as a minor infringement. Spanish rules require any club seeking to negotiate with a contracted player to first notify the player’s current club in writing.

Atlético alleged Barcelona approached the Argentina international without properly fulfilling that requirement.

Álvarez, 26, remains under contract at Atlético until June 2030 after joining from Manchester City in 2024.

Interest from Barcelona intensified during the summer transfer window, fuelled in part by the player’s public comments expressing a desire to fulfil a long-held dream of playing for the Blaugrana.

No deal materialised, and Álvarez stayed in Madrid.

Atlético also lodged a parallel complaint with FIFA, which ruled it had no jurisdiction over a dispute between two Spanish clubs and left the matter with the RFEF.

The federation opened an extraordinary disciplinary file in late July and has now resolved it with the maximum fine available under the relevant light-infringement clause.

The amount has been widely described as symbolic or “irrisoria.” It closely mirrors a 2019 case in which Atlético complained about Barcelona’s approach for Antoine Griezmann and the resulting fine was just €300.

Barcelona intend to appeal. Club sources and reports from outlets including Marca and El Chiringuito indicate the decision is being challenged on principle rather than over the modest sum.

Barcelona maintain they informed Atlético of their interest and conducted themselves correctly throughout the process.

Meanwhile Álvarez has been working to repair relations with Atlético supporters.

He has faced some booing this season but scored the decisive goal in Saturday’s win over Deportivo La Coruña, after which he publicly apologised for the timing and manner of his earlier comments about wanting to leave.

The fine closes the formal disciplinary chapter of a tense summer saga between two La Liga rivals, though Barcelona’s planned appeal means the matter is not yet fully settled.

Source: punchng.com

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SEE FULL LIST: Top 10 memorable cup upsets in English football history

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

English football has produced some extraordinary giant-killings, with lower-league and non-league clubs shocking established giants in the FA Cup and League Cup.

From Hereford United’s famous victory over Newcastle United to Bradford City’s stunning comeback against Chelsea, these matches have become unforgettable moments in English football history.

Here are 10 of the most memorable cup upsets as reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday

1. Hereford United 2-1 Newcastle United (FA Cup, 1972)
Hereford United produced one of the most iconic giant-killings in FA Cup history by defeating top-flight Newcastle United in a third-round replay. Ronnie Radford’s spectacular long-range equaliser sent the match into extra time before substitute Ricky George scored the winner.

2. Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal (FA Cup, 1992)
Fourth-tier Wrexham stunned reigning league champions Arsenal. After Alan Smith gave the Gunners the lead, Mickey Thomas scored a memorable free-kick before Steve Watkin netted the winner to complete a remarkable comeback.

3. Sutton United 2-1 Coventry City (FA Cup, 1989)
Non-league Sutton United shocked Coventry City, who had won the FA Cup just two years earlier. Matthew Hanlan scored the decisive goal to send Sutton into football folklore.

4. Bradford City 4-2 Chelsea (FA Cup, 2015)
Bradford City produced a stunning comeback at Stamford Bridge after falling 2-0 behind to Chelsea. Goals from Jon Stead, Filipe Morais, Andy Halliday and Mark Yeates turned the tie around and eliminated the Premier League leaders.

5. Bradford City 1-1 Arsenal (3-2 on penalties, League Cup, 2012)
Bradford City, then a fourth-tier club, knocked Arsenal out of the League Cup quarter-finals. Garry Thompson scored for Bradford before Thomas Vermaelen equalised late, but the home side prevailed in the penalty shootout.

6. Oldham Athletic 3-2 Liverpool (FA Cup, 2013)
League One side Oldham Athletic stunned Liverpool despite the visitors featuring stars such as Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. Matt Smith scored twice, while Reece Wabara added another goal to secure a famous victory.

7. York City 3-0 Manchester United (League Cup, 1995)
York City stunned Manchester United with a commanding first-leg victory at Old Trafford. Paul Barnes scored twice and Tony Barras added a third. Despite United winning the return leg, York progressed 4-3 on aggregate.

8. Northampton Town 2-2 Liverpool (4-2 on penalties, League Cup, 2010)
Northampton Town pulled off a major upset at Anfield, holding Liverpool to a 2-2 draw before winning the penalty shootout. The League Two side demonstrated remarkable composure to eliminate their Premier League opponents.

9. Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool (FA Cup, 2025)
Plymouth Argyle eliminated Liverpool after Ryan Hardie’s second-half penalty secured a narrow victory. The Championship side defended resolutely to knock out a team that would go on to win the Premier League title that season.

10. Grimsby Town 2-2 Manchester United (12-11 on penalties, League Cup, 2025)
Grimsby Town delivered an astonishing upset against Manchester United. The League Two side raced into a 2-0 lead before United fought back to force penalties. After an extraordinary shootout, Grimsby eventually prevailed 12-11.

These historic results demonstrate why the FA Cup and League Cup remain so special.

Smaller clubs can overcome financial disadvantages, league positions and reputations to create unforgettable football moments.

From Hereford’s famous triumph in 1972 to more recent shocks involving Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, English football continues to prove that no favourite is guaranteed victory.

Source: punchng.com

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Henry breaks silence on Yamal, Kate Scott controversies on Ballon d’Or

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A former France international, Thierry Henry, has defended his interactions with Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and presenter Kate Scott at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, insisting that his remarks were not intended to disrespect either of them.

Henry, who co-hosted the ceremony with Scott, addressed the backlash in a video posted on his Instagram page on Tuesday, a day after the event was held in London, United Kingdom.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker came under criticism following two separate exchanges during the ceremony, with his question to Yamal over the Kopa Trophy and a joke involving Scott sparking debate on social media.

The incidents divided viewers, with some accusing Henry of embarrassing Yamal and disrespecting his co-presenter, while others defended the former footballer, describing the moments as harmless humour that had been taken out of context.

The first controversy followed Yamal’s third consecutive Kopa Trophy triumph, an award presented to the best young player in world football.

Despite extending his record at the ceremony, the Barcelona teenager missed out on the Ballon d’Or, the event’s most prestigious individual prize.

Henry drew attention to the distinction when he asked Yamal whether the Kopa Trophy was the award he had really wanted, a question widely interpreted as a reference to the teenager’s failure to win the main prize.

The remark triggered mixed reactions online. Critics argued that the question placed Yamal in an uncomfortable position and risked undermining his achievement, particularly given his status as one of football’s brightest young talents.

Others, however, viewed the exchange as light-hearted banter between two prominent figures in football, arguing that Henry was simply acknowledging the significance of the Ballon d’Or and the disappointment of missing out on it.

The reaction prompted Henry to clarify his intentions, insisting that he was not attempting to challenge the Barcelona winger’s ego or diminish his achievement.

“I’m a big fan of Lamine Yamal. I wasn’t trying to check his ego whatsoever. If you didn’t like the joke, I understand,” Henry said.

Explaining the context of his question, the former Barcelona forward said he knew the Ballon d’Or announcement was still to come when he spoke to Yamal.

“I was simply asking if that was the trophy he really wanted because I knew the real prize was coming later,” he said.

Henry further emphasised his admiration for the teenager, describing him as one of the players he particularly enjoys watching.

“He’s actually one of those players I would pay to watch. I love him,” he added.

Henry also addressed the second controversy, which arose during the presentation of the Socrates Award, named after the late Brazilian football legend.

The exchange involved a joke about the pronunciation of Socrates’ name, with some viewers interpreting Henry’s response to Scott as dismissive or disrespectful towards his co-presenter.

The incident generated further debate, with critics questioning Henry’s conduct on stage, while others maintained that the interaction was part of a shared joke between the presenters.

Rejecting suggestions that he had disrespected Scott, Henry insisted that she was aware of the joke and had deliberately participated in the exchange.

“Kate was in on the joke with me, and you can ask Kate, by the way. She did it on purpose to say Socrates,” he said.

The former France captain expressed frustration at the accusations, stressing that he would not deliberately undermine his co-presenter.

“Please stop saying I disrespected Kate. I will never do that,” Henry added.

Henry acknowledged that not everyone would find the exchanges amusing but urged critics not to attribute malicious intentions to his remarks.

His response sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding both incidents, as debate continued over whether the exchanges amounted to inappropriate remarks or were simply jokes that had been misunderstood by some viewers.

Source: punchng.com

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