Israeli Referee Sapir Berman Faces Suspension Over Fitness Test Failures

Referee Sapir Berman, who officiated prestigious matches last season including the Tel Aviv derby and a cup semi-final, is at a critical juncture. If she fails to meet the required fitness standards, she could be sidelined from professional league officiating for several months, potentially missing the current season entirely. Berman made history last year as the first transgender woman to officiate an official UEFA international match, but her current season is in jeopardy. She informed the Referees Association during the summer break that she would not attend the initial fitness tests, acknowledging she wouldn't meet the demands. She later retook the tests but failed. As a temporary solution, she opted for tests designated for female referees, allowing her to officiate in lower-tier leagues such as women's, youth, and lower men's divisions.

Berman, once in the spotlight for her on-field performance, was recently seen officiating a third-tier youth league match. Prior to that, she officiated another youth league game and a U17 European Championship qualifier in Frankfurt. The Referees Association has stated she will have one final opportunity to pass the tests. Failure, after they initially excused her early withdrawal from the first tests, will result in her inability to officiate in top Israeli football leagues for at least the coming months, with little chance of another opportunity.

While the association recognizes Berman's importance as a leading figure last season, a source within the organization criticized her preparation. "It seems Sapir took her foot off the gas this past summer, it wasn't her usual preparation," the source stated, emphasizing professional rather than personal matters. "The interest of all of us is for her to return as soon as possible, but those who were more involved in lectures than in preparing for the season will not pass tests. There's no magic here. Sapir's physical fitness was never amazing, but with her intelligence and game understanding, she became a significant referee in the professional staff." The source added that instead of scheduling lectures, she should have focused on training, which did not happen, thus jeopardizing her season.

To aid her return, the Referees Association has assigned Berman two personal fitness trainers. Sources close to her preparation report significant progress in her physical condition. Initially, she will undergo an internal test during training, and only after demonstrating readiness will an official test date be set. It is anticipated that Berman will not return to officiate in the top leagues until at least the end of November, meaning a loss of approximately three months of high-level officiating. These upcoming tests are significantly more demanding than those for female referees. She is scheduled to serve as a video assistant referee (VAR) in an upcoming Premier League match, having completed the necessary training last season and now gaining practical experience in the role.