Official Kicks: From Fife to FIFA (Lorraine Clark interview)

Lorraine Clark, thirty, took up refereeing thirteen years ago on a PE teacher’s suggestion after deciding she would not play at a high level, and has been on the FIFA list for four seasons. Newly promoted to UEFA’s first category, her third promotion in four years, she referees the Scottish Women’s Premier League and works as an assistant in men’s professional games up to the Scottish Championship, as well as in development and junior leagues. Her highest-profile appointment was running the line at Ibrox in January 2013 before around forty-seven thousand spectators, the first time a woman had officiated there. Her stated ambition is to become the first woman to referee in Scotland’s men’s professional leagues.