Tess Olofsson, 32, all-time – match refereed by Superettan

Refereeing the 3-2 match between Akropolis and AFC Eskilstuna

Of: Gustaf Ränkeskog, Michael Wagner

Published: October 16, 2020 at 8:58 p.m.
Updated: October 16, 2020 at 10:39 p.m.

Photo: ANDREAS L ERIKSSON / BILDBYRÅN

He has written the history of Swedish football.

Tess Olofsson became the first referee to judge a match at the Superettan.

– It was a great feeling after the game, he says.

Olofsson, 32, who is already judging the damallsvenskan and men’s division 1, judged Friday night’s match between Akropolis and AFC Eskilstuna.

After a goal-rich first half, where strong Eskilstuna took the lead but then conceded 3 goals in 14 minutes, Tess Olofsson had to mark the penalty spot early in the second.

An Acropolis defender received the ball on his arm and Malmö-born Olofsson did not hesitate.

– There were not many protests about the punishment. It is a clear hand and I see it very clear, says Tess Olofsson to Sportbladet.

“Reasonable Allsvenskan in a couple of years”

The penalty goal that followed was also the last of the match. In a match where Olofsson received four yellow cards.

– It feels good, important decisions were made today. So you always have to do your own analysis and see if you have all the pieces. But I got good support from my fellow referees and good response from the players, he says.

Now they expect a few more matches at the Superettan in the fall. But the 32-year-old is aiming even higher.

– The goal is to go one step further and reach the highest level on the male side.

Can you judge at the Allsvenskan next year?

– It can be hard. You must first establish yourself in the supermarket before you have a chance and try the next one. In a couple of years, it seems reasonable.

With his Superettan debut, Olofsson continues to lead the way.

Last year, she became the first woman to be part of a referee team in a Swedish men’s match, when she was the fourth referee when Helsingborg faced Örebro. She followed this and became the first woman in Sweden to attend the highest judge training, step 5.

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Published: October 16, 2020 at 8:58 p.m.

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