Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi to be Italian Serie A's 1st female football referee

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi will be the first female referee in the Italian top-tier football division Serie A as the league assigned the 31-year-old to a match on Wednesday.

Serie A said Ferrieri Caputi will take charge of the Sassuolo vs. Salernitana match Sunday at the Mapei Stadium.

She will be the first female to referee a Serie A match in the league's history.

The president of the Italian Referees Association (AIA), called it a "historic moment."

"Maria Sole will debut in Serie A on merit, without any shortcuts, for her ability and skills,” said Alfredo Trentalange.

"We’re about to experience a historic moment after more than 110 years. We thank those who believed in her,” he said. “We’re not granting any privileges, Maria Sole earned this step.”

Ferrieri Caputi previously officiated Italian Cup and Serie B matches and was promoted to Serie A at the beginning of the season.

She is a researcher at the University of Bergamo in Italy.