Equal Opportunity
June 21, 2007
Bibiana Steinhaus is no stranger to whistle-blowing. In addition to being a soccer referee, the Hanover resident works as a policewoman. But as of August, she'll be entering uncharted territory -- the Bundesliga's second division.
Female refs have occasionally directed upper-division men's matches in other countries, but they remain the exception around the world.
Steinhaus has officiated men's matches in the third division since 2001 and has served as an assistant in the second division since 2004. Now in 2007-8, she'll be given the chance to run the show at that level.
The 28-year-old says her police work is good preparation for refereeing.
"I apply the rules and make sure that everything is above board," Steinhaus said in an interview with soccer's governing body FIFA. "I have executive responsibilities, as it were, in both of my jobs, which is a real advantage."
"It's all about performance," said the head of the German Soccer Association's refereeing committee, Volker Roth, when the promotion was announced. "It's Ms. Steinhaus' turn. I'm very optimistic that she will continue to perform in the second division."
No special treatment
Steinhaus said she had been the target of verbal abuse of in her previous refereeing duties but quickly added that it was nothing she couldn't handle.
And since she's well over six feet tall, players may think twice about throwing around any sexist remarks if they feel disadvantaged by a decision.
In 1995, another female referee served as a second-division assistant but only lasted a pair of games. Steinhaus intends to stick around for far longer than that.
"I want to prove that conditions are the same for men and women in the working world and as referees," she said at her introductory press conference. "I know I won't get any special treatment."