Albanian Referee Emanuela Rusta criticizes media for ‘Sexy Ref’ label

Emanuela Rusta, Albania’s first female international referee and a trailblazer in the country’s top men’s division, has expressed frustration over being referred to as a “sexy ref” in media headlines, overshadowing her achievements and professionalism on the pitch.

Rusta, 30, made history as the first Albanian woman to officiate men’s top-tier football, breaking barriers in a predominantly male industry. However, despite her commendable accomplishments, she recently had to shut down her Instagram account due to the offensive and objectifying messages she had been receiving.

In an interview with AFP, Rusta criticized media outlets that have focused on her appearance rather than her skills, stating, “They should focus more on my professionalism than on other things. Refereeing is not a question of gender, but of competence.”

She continued, “You have to fight hard to be accepted. You have to blow the glass ceiling to pieces. To make good decisions, you need to know the rules of the game perfectly, be physically fit, and have a great ability to concentrate.”

Rusta’s remarks come after headlines, including one that described her as “the sexy referee who raises the temperature,” were published, drawing attention to her looks rather than her officiating prowess. This is not the first time she has been objectified by the media; in a previous Champions League match where she served as the fourth official, she was said to have “stolen the show.”

Despite the challenges, Rusta remains determined, hopeful that female referees will gain more recognition for their expertise. “The (Albanian) Referees Association has always focused on promoting women, so my case is not a coincidence or the end of the process,” she explained. “I hope that the day is not far off when there are four women refereeing a match in the top men’s category.”

Rusta has already officiated 15 Albanian men’s SuperLiga matches, two of which took place this year, further solidifying her position as a respected figure in football. She is now set to referee the Women’s Champions League qualification match between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid.