The investment by FIFA into training female officials is now starting to pay real dividends. The FIFA Women's World Cup is entirely regulated by female officials. In addition, women are now being chosen ahead of their male counterparts to officiate at the highest levels of the game. But still there remain barriers to the further development and inclusion of women. One of the leading officials in the women’s game is Senegalese referee Fatou Gaye who has been selected as a referee for the Women’s World Cup in China. What prejudice has she come up against? How does she feel about this great opportunity? What made her want to take up one of the hardest jobs in football? Referee training programmes are expanding and standards are rising at all the time. The future is bright.
