All female refereeing panel to take charge of A-League men’s game in historic first

A-League men’s history will be made in coming days when a game is completely officiated by women. See who will be involved in the momentous occasion.

Casey Reibelt will be in the centre of the pitch for the historic occasion. Photo: Joe Allison/FIFA via Getty Images.

For the first time in the league’s 20 year history a men’s A-League match will be completely officiated by women.

Six of Australia’s most qualified women referees will take charge of the Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC clash in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Long time referee Casey Reibelt will take charge in the middle of the field – she became just the second woman to oversee an ALM match back in 2022.

Emma Kocbek and Maddy Allum will run the sidelines. The fourth official will be Rebecca Durcau – who has taken charge of three ALW grand finals and assisted in another three.

Kate Jacewicz, the first woman to referee an ALM match back in 2020 and record eight time ALW referee of the year, will serve as the VAR.

Joanna Charaktis has been named as the assistant VAR for the night – the Victorian based referee was an assistant referee at the Paris Olympics.

All six women were earlier this week named on the 2025 FIFA International list of Australian match officials.

Football Australia head of referees Jon Moss said it was a historic occasion.

“This achievement reflects the quality and dedication of our female referees and by having an all-female Match Officials Panel oversee an A-League Men match, demonstrates the strides we have made in creating inclusive pathways for officiating,” Moss said.

“The panel brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to the pitch and their accomplishments at domestic and international levels emphasises the high standard of female officials in Australia.

“I hope their appearance encourages young women across the country to consider their own refereeing journey and take up opportunities to become match officials.”

Originally published as All female refereeing panel to take charge of A-League men’s game in historic first