Lina Lehtovaara is a successful international referee, but has not made it to the Veikkausliiga referee. Johan Holmqvist, head referee of the Swedish Football Association, explains the reasons.
Lina Lehtovaara the long-term goal will be fulfilled when the women’s soccer World Cup is played in July-August in Australia and New Zealand. Lehtovaara is one of the referees qualified for the World Cup.
Last summer, Lehtovaara served as a referee at the European Championships held in England, now he is assigned to the World Cup greens. He has a 25-year career as a referee, but in the domestic Veikkausliiga, Lehtovaara has not been able to dispense justice.
Lehtavaara has been asked about it painfully often, most recently this week.
– It may not happen on my part as long as certain people decide on things. But hopefully, at least after me, it will be easier for other women. Hopefully the door will open at some point, Lehtovaara said in an interview with Urheilu.
The head referee of the football association: The running tests must be passed
The head referee of the Swedish Football Association Johan Holmqvist emphasizes that the issue is the results of the running tests. Lehtovaara must reach the required test limits in order for him to become a Veikkausliiga referee.
– The minimum requirement is that the referee has passed the running test. It is not possible to get matches if you have not passed the test limit, Holmqvist explained.
According to Holmqvist, the test limits are the same in Veikkausliiga and Ykköse.
– Lehtovaara has passed this test limit before and won First Division matches. So you have to pass the border twice a year, Holmqvist opened the requirements.
Last winter, Lehtavaara had bigger worries than football, when heart problems threatened all future plans. However, a rest period of a few weeks worked, and the pain eased.
“We have no gender boundaries”
The referees advance step by step. When the referee has gained experience in the First Division, the next step is the Veikkausliiga.
– I really hope that Lehtovaara passes the required tests. He has already reached very close to the test limit. Lehtovaara has received financial support when we have paid the compensation of his personal trainer, Homqvist said.
Holmqvist sees it as important to get women as Veikkausliiga referees.
– It would be a very nice thing and would set a model that whether you are a man or a woman, you can work at any level in Finland. We have no gender boundaries. You can become a referee when you have met sufficient requirements and your skills on the field are good.
Lehtovaara has already reached considerable achievements on international fields. In the spring of last year, Lehtovaara whistled for the women’s Champions League final, this spring also the second semi-final match between Arsenal and Wolfsburg.
– I believe that the entire Finnish refereeing community is happy and proud of his achievements. That’s why it’s a bit sad that such a confrontation has arisen, Holmqvist refers to the heated discussion about why Lehtovaara has not qualified as a referee in the Veikkausliiga.