This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine . At Euro 2024 we’ve been treated to fresh talent both on the pitch and on television. Many viewers agree that ITV has made a winning start with the acquisition of refereeing and VAR analyst Christina Unkel, whose insights have cut through with impressive insider knowledge.
It seems the former FIFA referee caught the bug very young. "I’ve played football since I was a young girl – my parents are from Central America and football was part of my family in Florida. When I was growing up there was no football on TV, men’s or women’s, but there would always be a soccer ball in the house, and we’d go to the fields and set up some goals – it was part of our culture.
"I fell in love with refereeing when I was 10 years old. I was yelling at the officials on the pitch [as a player] and my coach told me to take the refereeing class or be quiet. I took the class! Read more: Euro 2024 matches on today | Euro 2024 TV coverage | Euro 2024 radio coverage "Getting my officiating licence really changed the trajectory of my life – you’re essentially managing irate adults, coaches and parents, so it did a lot for me later in my career as an attorney.
I did litigation and argued in the courtroom for 12 or 13 years. "It’s only recent in Major League Soccer that you can get a full-time salary as an official, so while I was finishing my law degree I was paid next to nothing for my refereeing! But it was a way to stay.
