Carvajal becomes first woman to referee professional men's match in Chile

Maria Belen Carvajal will take charge of a second division match this weekend in Chile.

Carvajal will referee Sunday's match between Independiente de Cauquenes and Colchagua. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

Chile will become the latest country to boast a female referee in men's professional football, following the announcement by the league (ANFP) that Maria Belen Carvajal will take charge of a second division match this weekend.

The 35-year-old, who was officiating at the recent Under-17 Women's World Cup in Uruguay, will referee Sunday's match between Independiente de Cauquenes and Colchagua.

“I was not expecting it, it was a surprise,” Carvajal said in a statement. “They called me to congratulate me on my efforts in the Under-17 World Cup in Uruguay and then they told me I was going to referee in the second division.

“I am happy because I know that the referee's commission has confidence in me.”

Carvajal, who has already refereed under-17 and under-19 men's matches, will be on duty at the Women's World Cup in France next June.

In 2016, Uruguayan Claudia Umpierrez became the first woman to referee a top flight men's match - River Plate against Boston River.

Last year, Germany's Bibiana Steinhaus became the first to do it in Europe , taking charge of the Bundesliga match between Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen. She refereed eight games and is on the list again this season.

Sian Massey-Ellis has acted as an assistant referee in England's Premier League since 2010 but has yet to take charge of a game.