Bibiana Steinhaus becomes first woman to referee in a major European league

Bibiana Steinhaus made history by becoming the first woman to referee in a major European league when she took charge of Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen on Sunday.

The 38-year-old police officer’s performance got the stamp of approval from Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery after the match at Olympiastadion.

“Congratulations on the first game in the Bundesliga, #Good_job,” he posted on Twitter after the match.

Before the game, which past without major incident and ended 1-1 with a solitary yellow card given, Iker Casillas added to a wave of support for Steinhaus.

“All the luck of the world for Bibiana Steinhaus and the women who come later!” he said.

Steinhaus has officiated games in the German second tier since 2007 along with the Women’s World Cup and Champions League finals.

She had sat out the first two matches of the season after being named on the Bundesliga’s referee panel for 2017-18 before today’s debut.

“All the luck of the world for Bibiana Steinhaus and the women who come later!” he said.

“I have great respect for what she has done, and it is great that she referees on Sunday.”