Trailblazing referee Yoshimi Yamashita proud of Fifa World Cup role, calls it a ‘dream I couldn’t even think about’
- The 36-year-old broke new ground last month when she became the first woman to take charge of an Asian Champions League match
- Stephanie Frappart of France and Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga are also on a list of 36 referees for the tournament in Qatar
Yoshimi Yamashita said she felt “pride and responsibility” on Friday after being named one of three women referees for Qatar, a first for the men’s World Cup.
Three women officials were also named on a list of 69 assistant referees for the first time.
The 36-year-old Yamashita had already broken new ground after becoming the first woman to take charge of an Asian Champions League match last month.
Now she will help break down another barrier when she flies to Qatar this winter, something she previously felt was “a dream I couldn’t even have thought about”.
“It’s a great honour to be chosen to referee at the World Cup in Qatar and I have only feelings of gratitude for everyone,” Yamashita told reporters in Tokyo.
“I will take the feeling of pride and responsibility as a Japanese heading into the tournament and I will prepare to make it a success to the best of my abilities.”