First female referee appointed to A-League competition

A woman will referee A-League matches for the first time this season after Kate Jacewicz was appointed to the league's match officials panel.

Kate Jacewicz is an eight-time W-League referee of the year. Source: AAP

The A-League is set to join the NRL and AFL with the first female referee appointed to the league's match official panel.

Kate Jacewicz, an eight-time W-League referee of the year, is one of two new names added to the league's referees panel for the 2019-20 season along with Ben Abraham.

Referee Kate Jacewicz of Australia reacts during the preliminary round match between Norway and Nigeria at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019. Source: EPA

Her appointment follows in the footsteps of the AFL's first female field umpire Eleni Glouftsis and NRL referee Belinda Sharpe, who became the first woman referee in a professional rugby league match earlier this year.

Jacewicz's most recent assignment was refereeing two matches at this year's Women's World Cup in France, and FFA chairman Chris Nikou said the 34-year-old more than had the credentials to referee in the A-League.

"Kate is without doubt one of the leading referees in the world at any level," Nikou said.

Referee Kate Jacewicz gives a yellow card to Jenna McCormick of the Brisbane Roar. Source: AAP

Jacewicz's appointment comes after Stephanie Frappart refereed the European Super Cup clash between Liverpool and Chelsea a fortnight ago.