Portrait
CAN 2022 Women: Moroccan Bouchra Karboubi, free will
Bouchra Karboubi refereed the final of the Throne Cup on May 14, 2022. AFP - -
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
5 mins
Bouchra Karboubi officiates during the Women's African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022) in Morocco, her country, where she is a symbol.
On May 14, she became the first woman in the Arab world to be the main referee in a men's football grand final.
Meet.
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From our special correspondent in Rabat,
Land adjoining the Heritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex.
This July 12 in Rabat, the Confederation of African Football (
CAF
) brought together the referees who officiate during the Women's African Cup of Nations (
CAN 2022
) in Morocco for a training session.
In the middle of about thirty women in green, it is not difficult to distinguish one of the most famous of the continent: Bouchra Karboubi.
The 35-year-old Moroccan is almost a head above everyone else and sets the tempo for the day's exercises with a clear voice and natural authority.
No doubt logical for the one who works in the judicial police of Meknes, when she is not on the football fields.
"
My superiors and my colleagues always encourage me, they support me, they watch my matches and talk to me about them often
," she smiles.
Sometimes they even make small remarks to me.
"
Why did you give a red card? Why did you take that penalty? Explain this to us! Explain that to us!"
But they also tell me all the time that they are with me.
And, for them, I am the best, because they are my colleagues
!
»
It may also be because Bouchra Karboubi became a star as well as a symbol on May 14.
That evening, she refereed the final of the Throne Cup, the Moroccan equivalent of the Coupe de France or the English FA Cup.
“
It was a great honor and a great pleasure for me.
I couldn't describe to you the feeling I had on the day of the match
, she underlines.
Experiencing the joy of a final is not given to everyone.
That of the Throne Cup even less.
It is the most important cup in Morocco, the one that most touches the hearts of Moroccan men and women
”.
Forever the first
Above all, the policewoman became the first woman in the Arab world to be the main referee in a final of a major men's competition.
“
I made a lot of league matches
[masculin, Ndlr]
,
she recalls.
I think the looks have changed.
Moroccans are used to seeing a female referee.
Almost everyone knows me.
Especially people who watch football
.”
She adds: “
When I see certain little girls, I feel that I am a source of inspiration.
They say to me: "
Hey, Madam Referee, I hope to be like you one day
."
I feel proud to be a role model for these girls.
»
Bouchra Karboubi believes that certain perceptions of the place of women in football have evolved in its wake.
"
We got there even if it's not easy
," she says.
We were able to do it and show the world that it was possible.
We were able to change the mentality of some people in Morocco.
It was a big challenge and I succeeded
”.
It's a little revenge.
Because she had to deal with the sometimes harsh refusal of part of her family, unhappy to see her in this field, when she was younger.
"
It's true that at the beginning, I had difficulties with my brothers and with my family on this
," she admits.
But in general, in our societies, in the Arab world, it is not the same as in Ghana, Cameroon, Rwanda or other African countries.
The Arab mentality, in countries like Tunisia, Egypt or Morocco, makes it difficult to have a woman referee for men's matches
”.
Moroccan Bouchra Karboubi (center) with the other referees officiating during the CAN 2022 Women.
© RFI/David Kalfa
Refereeing in World Cups, next goals
The native of Taza (north-eastern Morocco) now hopes to soon be selected for the 2023 Women's World Cup. And, in the longer term, for the Men's World Cup.
"
Our models are the French
Stéphanie Frappart
and our
Salima Mukansanga
who will represent us at the 2022 Men's World Cup. We hope to be like them one day
", slips Bouchra Karboubi.
The latter follows its path, while waiting.
For example, she was part of the team that led the final of the last men's African Cup of Nations won by Senegal.
Additional experience.
“
A good referee is someone who makes the right decision at the right time
, theorizes the one who had already participated in the 2018 women's CAN in Ghana.
And for that, you need a lot of things: a good reading of the game, good anticipation, good physical condition, having a good analysis of situations…
”You also need courage and character when you are a referee.
The support of Moroccans contributes to this.
“
Everyone encourages me
, indeed assures the interested party.
The fans even support me on the street
.
It's really fun and it makes me want to work more and more
”.
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