Official Kicks: Yasmin Saeed

Yasmin Saeed swapped shin pads for a whistle while rehabilitating an injury that ended her playing career, and at nineteen is a Level 5 referee officiating open-age and academy football for both men and women. Having played for Manchester United, City, Everton, Crewe and Curzon Ashton, she finds the playing background helps her read a game and empathise with players. Refereeing has taken her to Dubai, Paris and the Isle of Man and into Premier League academy training grounds. Her proudest moment came in April 2017, refereeing a men’s cup final in the Manchester Football League with the first all-female match official team in England. Her dream is the Premier League, and her message is that a playing injury need not be the end.