Manuela Nicolosi, 45, said she was unable to become a Serie A referee because of prejudice about her looks. According to her, she was told that she was too provocative to referee in the first Italian league.
Manuela Nicolosi, Italian-French referee Photo/Instagram
The Italian-French referee, with experience of more than 200 matches at international level, including the 2019 Women’s World Cup final and the European Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea, says that in his career it has not always been the performances that have been appreciated, but rather the physical appearance.
“I was told that I had to be less visible, that I was attracting too much attention. They didn’t let me go from Serie C to Serie B because, faces, I was too attractive. And I just wanted to referee, not be a decoration!“Manuela told according to sportal.blic.rs.
The woman recalled an unpleasant event in her arbitration career, where the authorities were involved: “I locked myself in the locker room while the trainers shouted “we will kill you”. The police took me out. I will never forget that day!”.
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Manuela led over 200 Photo/Instagram matches
“They approached me and I wouldn’t take it. Maybe that’s why I didn’t advance!”
Even though some men looked down on her simply for being “a woman in a man’s world”, others tried their best to seduce her.
“Yes, it happened that players approached me in an inappropriate way in the dressing room. But I never accepted it. Maybe that’s why I didn’t progress quickly!“the referee also admitted.
Netizens are amazed at her age
Famous on social media, Manuela Nicolosi stunned netizens when she revealed her age. At 45, the woman is often “mistaken” for a teenager.
On Instagram, Manuela Nicolosi is followed by almost 200,000 internet users.
“You’re really 45? I can’t believe it!”/ “You look so much younger”/ “45? I’d say you’re 25!”sent some of the Instagram users.
