Christina Unkel née Ibanez is an American broadcaster and former soccer referee.
Early life
editUnkel started refereeing at the age of ten. She attended Palm Beach Atlantic University in the United States where she got a degree in the rules of Association Football. After that, she attended Stetson University in the United States.[1]
Career
editUnkel is a FIFA-licensed referee and officiated at club and international level. 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
editUnkel married American soccer referee Ted Unkel on 2 May 2009, after meeting at a soccer 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 2024-04-22.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (December 12, 2023). "Christina Unkel excels in CBS role as referee rules analyst". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ 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 2024-03-25.