After making history by officiating their first UEFA Women’s Champions League match, SL Benfica W – Barcelona W, Albanian referees Emanuela Rusta, Erinda Kume, and Koleta Prenga recorded another success on the international stage last Friday.
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| Emanuela Rusta refereeing (archive) |
Emanuela Rusta served as the main referee, while Erinda Kume and Koleta Prenga assisted in officiating a friendly match between Italy and Ireland's women's teams. The game played at the "Viola Park" stadium in Florence, ended in a 0-0 draw, with the Albanian referees delivering an excellent performance.
Emanuela Rusta, Erinda Kume, Edjena Kapxhiu, Eglantina Pjetrushaj, Mirjeta Salla, and Koleta Prenga are Albanian referees with FIFA badges. In June 2023, Rusta became the first female referee promoted by the Referees Committee to UEFA's elite category.
Officiating at such levels and UEFA's trust once again demonstrate the growth of Albanian refereeing in high levels of European and global football.