History in football refereeing was made in Malta on Sunday, January 12 in the First Division League match between Xghajra Tornadoes and Gozo.

The two assistants with referee Clayton Pisani were a father and daughter team - Ronnie and Esther Farrugia from Mosta.

Ronnie has just retired from the FIFA Assistants Referees list on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 45 while Esther is an up and coming second class referee who also runs the line in other divisions.

I contacted both FIFA and UEFA to check whether they had any records which would prove that this was a first such duo ever but both replied that they do not keep such information as their databases only record international matches.

I have no doubt that this is a first in world football especially as it has not been that long ago that female referees are appointed on a regular basis.

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