
Albania's first female international judge, Emanuela Rusta, has expressed her disappointment at being referred to as a "sexy judge" in media headlines, overshadowing her achievements and professionalism in the field.
She had to close her Instagram account because of the abusive messages she received.
In an interview with AFP, Rusta criticized the media for focusing on her looks rather than her skills, saying:
"They should focus more on my professionalism than on other things. The referee is not a matter of gender, but of competence. You have to fight hard to be accepted. To make good decisions, you need to know the rules of the game perfectly, be physically fit and have a great ability to concentrate," she added.
Rusta's remarks come after headlines were published, including one describing her as the "sexy referee who raises the temperature", drawing attention to her looks rather than her refereeing skills.
Rusta has already officiated 15 Albanian Men's Super League matches, two of which took place this year, further cementing her position as a respected figure in football. She will now referee the women's Champions League qualifier between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid.