Israeli referee, who becomes the first transgender officer in international football game

The 30-year-old Berman will enter the stadium through the St. Vincent Street to own a UEFA women-U-17 championship between Northern Ireland and Montenegro. A few days later she will also lead a match between Kazakhstan and Montenegro.

“A real dream is just the beginning,” said Berman a few weeks ago when he received her international badge. “After 14 years in the field I have become an international referee. It is an enormous honor and an indescribable excitement, but above all it is an opportunity to continue to do what I grew up in the world in which I grew up, and that shaped me. What an incredible way to start a new chapter.”

At a time when US President Donald Trump was about the guidelines in relation to the participation of transgender in the sport, an Israeli referee wrote history in the most popular sport in the world. In the Guinness World Records, the British referee Lucy Clark was recognized as the first transgender football officer seven years ago. “If it weren't football, I wouldn't be here today – it saved my life,” said Clark at the time. “I felt like a fraud and lived a life that was not mine.

Berman also wrote history three years after Clark's milestone. However, her journey was even more difficult than changing while continued to act at the highest level. Despite skepticism and criticism, Berman has established himself as one of the top referees in the Israeli Premier League and brought the order for the latest key game between Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Haifa in the Toto Turner stage. It is also one of only three referees who were selected for the first round of the championship playoff and leads the game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Haifa in the Bloomfield Stadium.

The CEO of the Israel Referee Association, Yariv Tepper, tirelessly worked to secure Berman's international badge. Ironically, the success of the Algerian boxer Iman Khalif, who won a gold medal in Paris, almost derailed the effort. While Khalif is not a transgender, the controversy about gender identity in sports under pressure on UEFA and FIFA. However, the persistent lobbying ultimately meant that both organizations approved Berman's appointment – a service not only for Israeli football, but also for the referee profession in Israel.

In her first two years as a referee in the Premier League, Berman stood considerable physical and mental challenges due to her hormonal transition and medical intervention. She first fought with fitness tests and was assigned to the second National League. However, the referee association provided comprehensive support, including a special sports psychologist, a personal fitness program and a video analysis of their services.

“The hormones I took weakened my testosterone level, which had a significant impact,” said Berman about her transition, which influenced her physical fitness and decision -making on the field. Despite the challenges, her ultimate goal – an international referee badge – kept motivated.

The former chairman of the Israel Referee Association, Ronit Tirosh, supported Berman during her transition. Her successor, tapper, made it clear that Berman is only evaluated according to professional standards. Over time, she met all expectations.

Berman played football as a teenager for teams like Hapoel Haifa and Ironi Nesher, which helped her develop a deep understanding of the game. Israeli referees usually run 10-12 kilometers per game, and while Berman is at the bottom of this area, she has successfully managed high-pressure games.

Today Berman is a full-time professional referee. She started her reigning career at the age of 17 and joined the Premier League referee cadre before she came out as a transgender. She also worked as an ambassador for Israel, traveled to Jewish communities in New York and even spoke in the United Nations.

“My biggest dream was to be a woman and a referee. The field is my home,” said Berman. Today she is exactly where she wanted to be. Her parents, whom she in Kiryat Bialik Großzog, visit all of your games. While referees are often criticized in Israel, Berman deserves a widespread respect for co -officers, players and trainers.

“She knows how to respect the players and coaching teams,” said a Premier League trainer. “She understands that the game is about her, not about her.

At the beginning there were concerns how football fans would react to Berman's transition, but the Israeli crowds were largely mature and respectful, without any significant transthobia incidents during their games. The players also appreciate their approach. One player noticed: “She keeps the game carefree, always comes in with a smile and avoids unnecessary conflicts. She is all about professionalism. Sapir brings something unique that no other referee has.”

The next big question is whether Berman will be selected to implement one of the impending semi -finals of the Israel State Cup – a step that would celebrate its status as one of the best referees in the country and maybe even the best among them.