Referee Sapir Berman Faces Fitness Challenges Affecting Performance

Former senior referee Liran Liani has commented on the physical fitness issues of referee Sapir Berman, who is currently unable to officiate in the Israeli Premier League due to failing fitness tests. Liani acknowledged Berman's strong officiating abilities but emphasized that her physical condition is a significant detriment to her performance.

"I know for a fact that Sapir has a physical fitness problem, it's visible. She runs less than other referees, and I'm not talking about a kilometer here or there, it's significant," Liani stated in an interview with 103FM. He noted that while the demands for referees to be close to the play have lessened with the advent of VAR compared to his era, physical fitness remains crucial for keeping up with fast breaks and maintaining pace.

Liani believes Berman is a "great referee" but that her fitness level hinders her decision-making, particularly in dynamic game situations. He stressed that while she is part of the Premier League roster, she needs to improve her physical conditioning. Liani also pointed to the high physical standards expected in European football, citing the performance of a French female referee in the UEFA Super Cup, which went into extra time, as an example of these demands.