Joya, Salma set to become FIFA referees

Former Bangladesh women’s footballers Joya Chakma and Salma Islam Moni are all set to become international football referees after giving the required test to be the registered FIFA referee yesterday.

Assistant referee Salma (L) and joya (right)

Ibrahim Nesar, deputy chairman of referees committee of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), informed that both Joya and Salma’s results of the test will be sent to FIFA on September 27.

“Joya and Salma have given the test today [yesterday]. The results will be sent to FIFA by September 27 and hopefully we will get their answer by 30 November. If they are selected, then they will be registered referee of FIFA and will be officiating international matches for one year starting from January 1, 2020.” said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim also informed that both Joya and Salma have been officiating in different tournaments for the past 10 years.

“At least a 10-year experience as a referee is needed to appear in this test. There have been a number of women referees from Bangladesh but none were able to continue it for this long. But both Joya and Salma have been officiating in matches for the past 10 years and that’s why they could achieve this.” concluded Ibrahim.

The test for becoming FIFA referee was originally supposed to be held on Sepetember 12. However, it was also learned that Joya, who is the coach of BKSP women’s football team, was supposed to tour India with her team within a few days and as such requested for the test to be taken early.