Yoshimi Yamashita, one of three women who will become the first female referees to officiate at a men’s World Cup in Qatar, said on Thursday she hoped to inspire girls in the region to become match officials, but declined to comment on the host nation’s poor record on gender equality.
Asked whether she felt conflicted about refereeing in a country that has drawn criticism for its treatment of women and members of the LGBT+ community, Yamashita said the tournament could encourage a change in attitudes in Qatar and other parts of the region. “There are hardly any female referees in the Middle East, so I would like to see that change, with the Qatar World Cup as the catalyst.
