Sapir Berman, a 31-year-old Israeli, achieved a groundbreaking milestone in 2025, becoming the first transgender woman to officiate an international football match. This accomplishment represented the culmination of two lifelong dreams: to be a woman and to be a football referee. From a young age, Berman felt the dissonance between her gender identity and her passion for football, a traditionally male-dominated sport. This internal conflict led her to suppress her true self for over two decades, focusing on her athletic pursuits while concealing her desire to transition.
Berman’s journey in football began in childhood, playing as a defender for a decade. When her aspirations of a professional playing career didn’t materialize, she shifted her focus to refereeing, diligently working her way up the ranks to officiate men’s matches in the Israeli Premier League. Despite her professional success, the burden of hiding her true identity weighed heavily on her. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown provided a period of introspection, prompting Berman to confront her internal struggle and ultimately decide to come out as transgender.
The decision to reveal her true self was fraught with anxiety, particularly concerning the potential impact on her refereeing career. However, encouraged by her brother, Berman resolved to persevere and integrate her transition with her professional life. This marked a pivotal moment, not just for Berman personally, but also for the world of football, as it challenged traditional gender norms and paved the way for greater inclusivity in the sport. While England’s Lucy Clark had previously become the first transgender woman to referee a match in 2018, Berman’s appointment to an international match in 2025 was a significant step forward, particularly within European football.
Berman’s transition was not without its challenges. While she received significant support from the Israeli referees association, there were moments of uncertainty and uncharted territory for both Berman and the association. The hormone therapy, a crucial part of her transition, initially impacted her physical performance, leading to failed fitness tests and a temporary demotion. However, with the assistance of a sports psychologist and unwavering determination, Berman overcame these setbacks and regained her fitness, eventually earning her international badge.
Berman’s story unfolds against the backdrop of a broader debate surrounding transgender participation in sports. As various sporting bodies grapple with balancing inclusivity and fair competition, the issue has become increasingly contentious. The decision by England’s Football Association to ban transgender women from women’s football exemplifies the complexities and differing approaches to this issue. Berman, however, advocates for inclusivity, expressing faith in decision-making bodies to find solutions that integrate and unite athletes from diverse backgrounds. She argues against reducing individuals to a single characteristic, emphasizing the multi-layered nature of human beings and the various factors, beyond gender, that influence athletic performance.
The response to Berman’s transition has been largely positive, both on and off the field. Players and fans have accepted her, and she even finds humor in the shift to feminine insults directed at her during matches, seeing it as a form of acknowledgement of her true identity. Perhaps most significantly, Berman’s story has resonated with young people, offering them hope and inspiration. This positive impact, she says, fuels her determination to continue pursuing her dreams, demonstrating that choosing oneself and living authentically is possible, even in the face of adversity. Berman’s journey stands as a testament to courage, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s true self, while also highlighting the ongoing evolution of inclusivity in the world of sports.
