A football match is all about passes, tackles, goals and sheer energy. And the sweat ridden brow of a referee slam dunk in the middle of the heated action as he eases fracas, altercations, brawls and gets the beautiful game underway is a hard task to follow, leave alone replicate. Now, there is a gorgeous, attractive and extremely talented young lady that will be seen blowing the whistle and raising the flag even as larger than life players threaten to tower over her.
Her name is Fernanda Colombo Uliana, who at just 25 years of age, is the talk of world football. She has just been granted the FIFA official status by the refereeing committee of the Brazilian Football Confederation. And was most recently spotted and seen running at the sideline during the Brazilian championship football match between Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte.
And it’s not every day that you see a ref as diva-esque as her! She is of course thrilled and was reported to have said that, “It’s one more step towards winning people over,” to a Brazil local paper Diario Catarinense. The report went on to quote her further saying, “It’s the result of all the dedication I’ve shown. Who wouldn’t want to receive recognition in their chosen career, after all? For me, it’s a huge victory.”
And it’s a victory that is also a first of its kind — Fernanda Uliana comes from humble beginnings and was till now busy working as a personal trainer specialising in hydro-fitness at a gym in Florianopolis. And taking her first step into the male dominated world of football is this Internet sensation who shot to fame after her flag-waving went viral during a recent Copa do Brasil match featuring top-flight club Sao Paulo.
The 25-year-old assistant ref has been officiating in Brazil for some time but turned heads while making a step up to the Copa do Brasil as Sao Paulo beat CRB 3-0. While Uliana has her work cut out for her, her debut as an assistant referee in Brazil’s top flight did end in a controversy after she denied visitors Cruzeiro a last-gasp chance to equalise against rivals Atletico Mineiro with a debateable offside call. A decision that replays show might be incorrect!
And while there are many fans for the beautiful game that are almost shocked and incredulous about the kind of attention this “ref” is getting thanks to her looks, the lady is putting in the hard yards to hone her skills.
In the Mecca of football, there is a somewhat chauvinistic football code. Infact, Lower league side Juventus de Santa Catarina’s coach Celso Teixeira was reported to have called assistant referee Maira Americano Labes “gostoso” which means “tasty” in Portugese — after being sent off during a Catarinense championship game.
And Labes herself has come out in protest of looks on a football field, where only prowress should matter, She was reported to have said, “Beauty should pass unnoticed. I’d like for the day to come for women to be recognised for their work just like men.” And Fernanda might agree whole heartedly.
