FIFA has appointed Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb as its new head of women’s refereeing.
Steinhaus-Webb, a German native, takes up the job after holding the same role in the English game.
A former FIFA referee, she enjoyed an influential career that saw her become the first woman to take charge of a final at the Women’s World Cup and the women’s Olympic football tournament, as well as matches in the men’s Bundesliga. Altogether she officiated in nine FIFA competitions between 2008 and 2021.
In her new role, Steinhaus-Webb, who is married to English men’s referee boss Howard Webb, will oversee and drive further development of women’s refereeing at all levels, including across FIFA women’s competitions, in cooperation with FIFA’s member associations and the confederations.
“I’m thrilled to join FIFA and look forward to making a contribution to the steady growth of women’s refereeing,” Steinhaus-Webb said in a statement.
“FIFA has shown a consistent commitment to taking refereeing to the next level as an integral part of the game, and it’s an honour for me to apply my experience and to support female referees across the world.”
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström commented: “FIFA remains committed to promoting the growth of the women’s game, and maximizing on the huge developmental opportunity it holds. Refereeing is of course a key part of that opportunity and bringing figures of the stature and experience of Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb will contribute significantly to this objective. I very much look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee, added: “Bibiana’s outstanding experience as a trailblazer of the game, coupled with her thorough understanding of the current challenges facing female referees, will help us massively to develop the next generation of elite female match officials.”
