Christina Unkel
Christina Unkel (née Ibanez; born 1986 or 1987) is an American broadcaster and former football referee.
Early life
[edit ]Unkel started refereeing at the age of ten. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2008, after which she attended Stetson University, earning a Juris Doctor and an MBA.[1]
Career
[edit ]Unkel is a former FIFA referee, with experience internationally and in professional domestic leagues in the United States. She later served as State Referee Administrator for the Florida State Referee Committee. She has also worked as president of American side Tampa Bay Sun FC.[2] [3]
She was a featured analyst during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup for Fox Sports and has also worked as a columnist for The Athletic and CBS Sports .[4]
In June 2024, she was employed by British television station ITV as a refereeing and rules expert for the coverage of the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. She received praise for her work, being described as "authoritative" by The Guardian .[5]
Personal life
[edit ]Unkel married American football referee Ted Unkel on 2 May 2009, after meeting at a football tournament in Cocoa Beach, Florida.[6]
She is also an avid Leeds United fan.[7]
References
[edit ]- ^ Stinson, Jim (August 9, 2023). "Sarasota attorney, entrepreneur dives headfirst into next big career challenge". Business Observer. Retrieved 2024年04月22日.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (December 12, 2023). "Christina Unkel excels in CBS role as referee rules analyst". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved 2024年04月22日.
- ^ Hancock, Tom (17 June 2024). "Euro 2024: Who is ITV referee expert Christina Unkel?". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Who is Christina Unkel? American rules analyst and VAR expert adds insight for ITV during Euro 2024". The Independent. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Brewin, John (16 June 2024). "American VAR expert Christina Unkel gives ITV edge over BBC at Euro 2024". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "I now pronounce you wps ref and wife". bleacherreport.com. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Baxter, Kevin (June 27, 2023). "Christina Unkel unafraid to call it like it is". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on 2024年03月25日.