Sexy Italian model gives up modelling to become professional referee

November 07, 2014 • • min read

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Sexy Italian model gives up modelling to become professional referee

Italian glamour model Claudia Romani is taking an unexpected new direction in her career after deciding to step away from modelling to pursue her long-held ambition of becoming a professional football referee.

Romani, who has appeared in major publications including GQ Maxim and GQ Maxim, built an international profile through her modelling work. In 2006, she was also named among the world's 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Denmark.

But despite her success in fashion and entertainment, football has always remained one of her biggest passions.

Key takeaways

Claudia Romani is leaving modelling to become a football referee.
The Italian model is already qualified for Serie B matches.
Romani hopes to eventually referee in Serie A.

From photoshoots to the football pitch

Rather than remaining on the sidelines as a supporter, Romani decided to immerse herself in the game by qualifying as an official referee.

The 32-year-old has now earned the certifications required to officiate professional men's football matches in Italy, marking a significant milestone in her transition from modelling to sport.

A devoted fan of AC Milan, Romani said the chance to referee matches was simply too exciting to ignore.

Running around on the pitch with all those players and calling the shots is just an irresistible opportunity.

Eyes on Serie A

Romani is already eligible to referee matches in Italy's second tier, Serie B, and hopes to eventually progress to the top flight, Serie A.

Whilst there are no formal rules preventing women from officiating in the top division, female referees remain relatively rare in elite men's football in Italy.

Her move into officiating reflects a broader shift within the sport, where more women are beginning to take on high-profile refereeing roles across domestic and international competitions.

Challenges still remain

Despite growing opportunities, female referees continue to face scrutiny and concerns over sexism within football culture.

The presence of women officiating men's matches is still a relatively recent development in many leagues, and debates continue around equality, representation and acceptance within the sport.

Romani's decision to pursue refereeing, however, highlights how football is slowly evolving, with more women entering areas of the game traditionally dominated by men.

For Romani, the focus now is firmly on football rather than fashion, as she looks to turn a personal passion into a long-term professional career.