Following an impeccable performance while officiating England in a crucial Women’s Euro 2013 qualifier against Croatia in Walsall last Wednesday, Maltese referee Esther Azzopardi Farrugia has just received two other inter-national appointments.
This evening, she will control the girls’ U-19 friendly between Greece and Cyprus, in Athens.
On Thursday, Azzopardi Farrugia will be referee for the women’s UEFA Champions League round of 32, first leg, between Holland’s Den Haag and Rossiyanka, of Russia, at the Kyocera Stadium in The Netherlands.
The invitation to Azzopardi Farrugia from the Greek football federation is the result of an agreement between the Malta FA Referees’ Department and their counterparts to exchange women international referees for friendly matches.
In fact, today’s appointment for Azzopardi Farrugia reciprocates last season’s visit to Malta by FIFA official Efthalia Mitsi.
Mitsi was fourth official at the women’s international friendly played at the Centenary Stadium in November between Malta and Luxembourg, which the Maltese won 3-1.
Meanwhile, the other members of the officiating team accompanying Azzopardi Farrugia for the Den Haag-Rossiyanka match on Thursday are assistant referees William Debattista and Christopher Francalanza. Shona Shukrula (Holland) will act as fourth official.