A Fife football official has urged more women to join her ranks and not be dissuaded by recent revelations surrounding sexism in the sport.
Lorraine Clark (25) from Thornton believes the furore caused by a leaked recording of a private conversation between former Sky Sports duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray could actually be used as motivation for more ladies to participate in officiating football matches.
The role of female officials has been ever present in the news this week after the pair were recorded off-air criticising the selection of Sian Massey as a lineswoman before the recent Wolves v Liverpool match, a game in which she judged a key offside decision correctly.
Ms Clark, an electrical engineer away from the pitch, has travelled across Europe after being accepted as a FIFA assistant referee last year.
She insists that no female should be deterred from entering the male-dominated world of football, and believes that the outcry generated by Keys and Gray should spur more women on.
She told The Courier, “The fact that it has been such a huge issue shows that it’s not as big an issue in football as people think.
“It might even be a good opportunity for women to go out and show what they can do.
“Nobody should be put off and they should just go for it.”
A keen player who took up refereeing nine years ago, Lorraine has already “run the line” in Women’s World Cup qualifiers, including a grudge match between Croatia and Serbia last May.
A regular at Scottish league matches as well, she believes there is a wealth of opportunities for women wishing to get more involved with football and that the sport is far from a closed shop.
“Every competition that there is for males, there is one for women as well and there are so many games to be covered,” she said.
“And because there are fewer women referees you could maybe say there are even more opportunities for them.”
Richard Keys resigned from his role as anchor of Sky Sports football coverage on Wednesday after saying of Ms Massey, “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.”
Gray had been dismissed by Sky 24 hours previously for what was deemed as “unacceptable behaviour” by the broadcaster.