Female referee Salma creates history in BPL

Salma Islam Moni created history by performing the role of assistant referee in a Bangladesh Premier League match between Arambagh Krira Chakra and Uttar Baridhara, making her the first ever women referee to run a BPL match.

No female referee had ever carried out the role of a referee in the highest level of professional football competition in Bangladesh.

Calling it a remarkable achievement, Ibrahim Nesar, country’s one of the most experienced and a former FIFA referee told the media, “For football and referring in Bangladesh, today (Monday) was a special day. A woman is referring at the highest level of football in Bangladesh. This is a very positive aspect for the country's football. Salma is now a FIFA assistant referee.”

Recently, Joya Chakma and Salma completed AFC referring course. For promotion to elite level, AFC asked for videos of their fitness and game operations.

The head of referees at Bangladesh Football Federation, Azad Rahman said that BFF has high hopes for them.

“BFF is highly hopeful regarding Joya and Salma. The footage from the PL match run by Salma will be sent to AFC. If they can earn spots in the elite panel, they can run matches in Asia’s highest level of women’s football,” Azad said.