Swiss referee Désirée Blanco ends career due to heart problems

The top Swiss referee Désirée Blanco ended her career prematurely due to heart problems. According to the Swiss Football Association, the 43-year-old had a pacemaker inserted four years ago. During a cardiological check at the beginning of August, there were abnormalities. “They told me there that this had to do with the intensive training,” Blanco told the Swiss newspaper “Blick”.

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The referee also reported that she had trained so intensively at times that she couldn't eat anything for three hours after training. »After I changed the process, the focus of the games was no longer the same. I was no longer ready in my head and in my legs. I had to say: It’s no longer possible.”

Blanco explained in the association's statement that she loves top-level football and refereeing. But she didn't want to risk her health. According to the statement, the decisive factors also include “new tasks in your family and professional environment.” No details were given.

Blanco was on the pitch for the last time as a referee last weekend in the Swiss first division game between FC Basel and FC Lugano. The former Swiss international player refereed 23 games in the Swiss premier league in her career. Blanco also refereed two games at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland last year.

“It was anything but easy and makes me extremely proud to have come this far,” said Blanco. Refereeing “gave her countless wonderful moments” and was an important part of her life. “It’s all the more difficult for me to draw a line under this special and intense time.”