LETTICIA IN HISTORIC ALL-FEMALE REFEREEING TEAM

MBABANE - In a landmark development for African football, CAF has assembled an all-female refereeing team for the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League.

This tournament, taking place in Morocco from November 9 to November 23, marks a significant milestone in the continent’s sporting history.  CAF has highlighted that this is the first time all match officials, including Video Assistant Referees (VAR), are exclusively women. To ensure these referees are well-prepared for the rigours of the competition, CAF implemented a specialised training programme focused on VAR, which included a dedicated VAR Academy.

This initiative provided the referees with comprehensive training, allowing them to hone their skills under the guidance of seasoned instructors, thereby enhancing their technical and mental readiness for the tournament. The roster of centre referees and assistant referees showcases the geographical diversity of Africa, with officials representing over 15 countries.
This variety is essential, as it bolsters the capacity of each region in the realm of women’s refereeing.

Increase

In terms of remuneration, the tournament officials will receive E21 685 (approximately US$1 200) for each match they officiate, a notable increase from the previous fee of E13 543.90, reflecting a rise of E8 142. Among the distinguished referees, is Eswatini’s FIFA-accredited official, Letticia Viana, who is one of the 10 VAR referees officiating in the tournament.
Viana, a celebrated figure in the sport, has announced her retirement from officiating under the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), effective December.

Earlier this year, she had already stepped back from domestic football, with her retirement formally recognised during the MTN Premier League match between Nsingizini Hotspurs and Madlenya. Viana’s journey as a referee has been nothing short of remarkable. Just two years after beginning her career, she made history in 2007 by becoming the first woman to officiate in the Premier League of Eswatini.

Her exceptional physical fitness and mental fortitude have enabled her to officiate in high-stake matches, including the prestigious Mbabane Derby. In 2015, she was accredited as a FIFA referee, marking a historic achievement as the first female referee from Eswatini to earn this feat. Furthermore, she made her mark on the international stage by officiating in the VAR section of the 2022 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India, solidifying her legacy in the sport.

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