Graziella Pirriatore

Member of National Committee of Referee Series D

Speaking Sessions

Biography

My name is Graziella Pirriatore, I arrive in Bologna to attend university in Economics where I earn my degree five years later. My story begins right here in September 2001. Passionate, soccer fan, I start attending the Dall’Ara and here that one Sunday I read a poster that says “one man in charge” come and be a referee.

First woman referee in the Bologna Section became President of the Regional Referees Committee in S.S. 2021/2022. Born in Agrigento on December 28, 1982, Bolognese by adoption I embarked on my refereeing career in the S.S. 2001/2002 passing the qualifying exam in the spring of 2002. Made the first steps in the Youth Sector I reach the highest provincial categories before coming to the Regional Technical Body in the S.S. 2003/2004.

After a few seasons where I was involved in all regional categories I direct the final of the Italian Cup of Excellence in the S.S. 2009/2010 year in which my transition to the national categories was sanctioned. After only one season within the Organico CAI I am promoted to the Organico CAN D, where only a year later in the S.S. 2012/2013 I am included in the FIFA UEFA lists that will allow me to direct international competitions of European qualification , World Cup, Women’s Champions League, participating in a final phase of Euro Under 17 and in 2019 to participate in the UNIVERSIADI. Equal to the International career in S.S. 2010/2011 begin directing women’s Serie A matches to reach the direction of the Italian Women’s Super Cup final between Juventus- Fiorentina in S.S.2019/2020. At the conclusion of my field career I will have directed more than 150 matches in SERIE D and having made my debut in SERIE C as 4 official in S.S.2020/2021. My management career that began in July 2021 as the first woman in history to hold the position of Regional Commission President continues with inclusion in the UEFA cadres of international observers. While in July 2023 after two seasons of regional presidency I am appointed Component in the National Referee Commission of SERIES D role that I currently hold.

In everyday life in addition to dealing with the training and growth of boys and girls who undertake the activity of refereeing I work for a business consulting company and before that in the aftermath of the degree obtained at the University of Bologna in economic sciences at a major international banking institution.

I achieve at CONI’s School of Sport a master’s degree in Olympic Managment in 2016 with a thesis on the history of women’s soccer in Italy.

Significant work experiences include participation in the organization of the Women’s Champions League final in 2016 in Reggio Emilia and in the Women’s Football Development Department in FIGC.