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Spain promotes Marta Huerta de Aza, first female ref to call men's game

Marta Huerta de Aza will become the first woman to referee a men's professional league game in Spain.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Monday that its Referee Technical Committee has promoted Huerta de Aza to officiate in the Spain men's second division from the 2024-25 season.

"I have been fighting for many years and it is a huge satisfaction to have achieved it," Huerta de Aza said. "I also consider this promotion as a collective achievement, as my colleagues are letting me know.

"Women's refereeing in Spain is taking very important steps and this is a success for all."

Huerta de Aza, 34, has refereed some big games already, including the Women's Euro 2022 opener between England and Austria. She also officiated at the 2023 Women's World Cup while earlier this year, she took charge of the Champions League Women's semifinal first leg between Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Spanish FA also announced that Judit Romano Garcia has been promoted and will join Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez as the three female assistant referees in LaLiga.