| Full name | Alexandra Ihringová | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | (1975-01-29)29 January 1975 (age 50) Czechoslovakia | ||
| International | |||
| Years | League | ||
| 2001– | FIFA | ||
Alexandra "Saša" Ihringová (born 29 January 1975)[1] is aSlovak-bornfootballreferee, based inShropshire, who officiates in the role ofassistant referee inthe Football League.
In addition she has refereed several majorwomen's football matches at domestic and international level. These include theFA Women's Cup final, theUEFA Women's Champions League final, theUEFA Women's Championship final and theFIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final.
Ihringová is 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall and, as well as her nativeSlovak, can speak English, German, Russian and Spanish.[1]
"I am always happy to admit that if I was a good player, I would still be playing! It is indefinitely more fun."
Ihringová grew up in a sporting family inBratislava.[3] As a player, Ihringová was a national champion three times from 1991 to 1994 with her club Filozof Bratislava.[1][4] She attended a course for women officials in 1995.[5] Her move into refereeing was inspired by Ihringová's uncle,Karol Ihring, aFIFA official named the best referee inSlovakia three times.[4]
Ihringová quickly progressed through the ranks and in 2002 became the first, and at the time, only, woman to referee in thesecond tier of men's football in Slovakia.[6]
In 2006 Ihringová emigrated to England, and was "adopted" bythe Football Association.[7] She oversaw two consecutiveFA Women's Cup finals in 2008 and 2009.[7] Ihringová considered that the move to England, and particularly her involvement at Football League level, assisted in her overall development as a referee.[8]
Ihringová took charge of the second–leg of the2008 UEFA Women's Cup Final between1. FFC Frankfurt andUmeå IK, before 27,000 spectators atCommerzbank-Arena.[5]
In April 2011 she refereed the first game of the newFA WSL, asArsenal beatChelsea 1–0.[9]
Ihringová was appointed to the FIFA list in 2001[1] and took charge of her first women's international, aWorld Cup qualifier betweenGermany andSpain, in October of that year.[1] She also participated at the 2002 edition of theUEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Sweden.[1] At the2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, Ihringová was awarded the semi–final betweenBrazil andChina.[10]
In June 2005 Ihringová was selected to referee the final ofUEFA Women's Euro 2005, asGermany defeatedNorway atEwood Park.[6] After switching her allegiance to England, Ihringová refereed theUnited States' victory overNorth Korea atEstadio Bicentenario de La Florida, in the final of the2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[1]
| Preceded by | 2005 UEFA Women's Euro Final Saša Ihringová | Succeeded by |
