Fernanda Colombo Uliana turns heads as assistant referee in Brazil Cup match

The 25-year-old has become an internet sensation for her work



Uliana has been appointed to her first Brazilian Serie A match on Sunday

She ran the line for Sao Paulo's 3-0 Copa do Brasil win over CRB



It's rare for a referee to become an internet sensation for anything other than a game-changing gaffe or falling over but that can't be said of Fernanda Colombo Uliana.



The 25-year-old assistant ref has been officiating in Brazil for some time but turned heads while making a step up to the Copa do Brasil as Sao Paulo beat CRB 3-0.



And this Sunday she'll run the line in her Brazilian top-flight match when Atletico Mineiro (who boast former Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho) take on Cruzeiro.



Crossing the line: Brazilian assistant referee Fernanda Colombo Uliana officiates in a Brazil Cup match

Moving with the times: Uliana shows she's fleet of foot at she keeps up with the play

On her way to the big time: Santa Catarina official Uliana was on the line as Sao Paulo beat CRB 3-0

Fully focused: Uliana is yet another female excelling in a traditionally male-dominated sport

Sea change: When not keeping footballers in line, Uliana (right) can be found on the beaches of Santa Catarina

Uliana is among a host of women to have have recently made their way into male-dominated areas of football and is putting in the hard yards to be recognised for more than her appearance.

Just this week, Portugese manager Helena Costa became the first female boss of a club in one of Europe's top two leagues when appointed at the helm of Clermont Foot in France.



Italian official and part-time model Elena Tambini, also 25, is also on the rise in her home nation and she is predicted to officiate in Serie B, Serie A and internationally in the future.



Despite supporting the progression of women into top refereeing roles, Brazilian football hasn't exactly been a bastion of gender equality of late.



Step up: Uliana runs the line for her first Brazil Serie A match between Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro on Sunday

Tough work: Elena Tambini currently officiates in the Italian lower leagues but is tipped for the top level

In charge: Helena Costa has been appointed manager of Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot Best of British: Sian Massey ran the line for Manchester United and Sunderland on May 3

Happy with her progress: Uliana smiles for a selfie

Lower league side Juventus de Santa Catarina's coach Celso Teixeira found himself in trouble recently for calling assistant referee Maira Americano Labes ‘gostoso’ - which means 'tasty' in Portugese - after being sent off during a Catarinense championship game.

Labes said she took no offence as she was concentrating on the game. Teixeira says the comment was made by someone from the crowd.



On Instagram, Labes said: ‘Beauty should pass unnoticed. I’d like for the day to come for women to be recognised for their work just like men.’



In Britain last November, mother-of-two Amy Fearn became the first woman to take charge of a first-round FA Cup tie when Corby Town hosted Dover Athletic. She was also the first woman to referee in the Football League.

