BRITAIN’S first female Muslim referee has revealed how she overcame troll abuse to make history.
Jawahir Roble, known as JJ, is the only FA-qualified official to wear a hijab.
Islamic law says a man and a woman should not touch so JJ – a Somalian refugee – wears gloves to shake the hands of players after the match.
Not only that but JJ, 24, also had to put up with footballers asking when the “proper ref” was turning up and people suggesting she had turned her back on her religion.
It makes calling a split-second decision on a penalty shout look a doddle.
But JJ, who stands just 5ft 4ins, explains she is commanding respect on the pitch after her second full season an as FA-registered official.
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She said: “[People online said] stuff like, ‘you’re not even following the religion, you’re not following the culture’.
“Some weird stuff.
“Of course football is not my culture, no. But I am here to break stereotypes. Girls can play football, girls can do whatever they want.
“Who said girls can’t be a referee and a Muslim? Who?
“My religion is part of me and I love it.
“When I first turned up to the match you could hear some boys just giggling, ‘no way she is the ref?! No!’
“[But] they can see that I am the ref because I am wearing my full kit.
“Now, I don’t know if word of mouth is spreading, I don’t even get that anymore, they’re like, ‘do we have linos?’
“They ask me other appropriate questions, instead of, ‘are you the ref?’
“I don’t get any grief because of my gender. There was one time a guy came up to me and said, ‘I really like female referees, they’re good’.
“I will take that, that’s very nice, but no one has ever said, ‘get in the kitchen, you don’t belong here’. I’ve not heard that yet and I don’t want to hear it.”
JJ got into refereeing almost by chance, helping out London’s Capital Girls League when they were short after studying for her coaching badges.
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But her love for the game started on the war-torn streets of Somalia where she would beg to stay out past curfew.
JJ, who lives in North West London, said: “In Somalia there was war and random attacks every day. I remember going to school, coming home and chilling with my siblings and playing football on the street.
“We would just meet up and make some goals and play until the sun goes down and rush home: ‘Mum, we’re back don’t worry!’
“You had to be home before the sun goes down, while it was still light.
“But now, in ten years’ time I would like to see myself as a professional referee in top leagues, the Premier League, Champions League, there is no limits.”
JJ’s story will feature in The History of Football global TV event, airing on History (excluding USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), from May 28th-10th June 2018
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