Carla García Alarcón is a 21-year-old football referee from Barcelona, Spain, who has become well known both on the field and online. Along with working as a referee, she has also gained more than 27,000 followers on Instagram. In March 2025, she appeared on a Spanish podcast and spoke honestly about the unusual experiences she faces as a young female referee.
Carla explained that after matches, some players search for her on Instagram by using the full name written on the official scoresheet. Many of the messages she receives are harmless. Some players tell her she did a good job during the game, while others argue about decisions, saying things like “that wasn’t a card.” Some even send her questions about football tactics.
However, Carla also revealed that not all interactions are comfortable. She shared that some players have tried flirting with her during matches. She joked that she referees players between the ages of 16 and 24, and sometimes the older players behave even more immaturely than the younger ones.
Her comments quickly spread online and started a larger discussion in Spain about the unfair treatment and harassment female referees often face in sports. Many people supported Carla for speaking openly about the issue and praised her confidence and professionalism.
Even with the challenges, Carla remains focused on her dream. She hopes that one day she will referee matches in La Liga, Spain’s top football league. She wants to prove that talent and hard work matter more than gender in football officiating.
