IndianFootball.Com correspondent PS Parameswaran had the chance for a rare exclusive interview with India's leading women's referee Bentila D'Couth.
Parameswaran talked to her about her career as a footballer, her transition from a footballer to an international referee and what it took her to become an international referee. She also tells us about the problems sportsperson still face in India.

What was your inspiration to become a football player?

My brothers used to play football in our local clubs. I got an interested through my brothers. I also slowly started to play and initially only out of fun, but later it grew seriously.

Did you have any idea that you would once represent India in an International game?

See here, once we take the game seriously, it is the wish of each player to represent his/her country. It will be a dream for every player to wear the colour of his/her country. It gradually develops as a target in us.

What were your feelings when you stood to represent India for the first time?

I was in ecstasy, mad with happiness, pride and disbelief. Being the vice-captain, wearing India's colour both were great things. It gave me great joy!

How was the support from your family?

My father was himself a football player and also my brothers. My family always encouraged arts and sports. My sister was a promising singer. She was a top singer in Kochi as well as Kerala. Both of us got equal support from my family. Especially from my siblings!

Tell us a little more about your family?

I am basically from Kochin. My father's name is Lawrence D Luther; mother's name is Rosley Luther. We are Anglo-Indians and I live in the Mulavukkad village. And I have two brothers and four sisters.

Where did you do your education?

I did my pre-degree and degree in St.Paul's. It was during my degree that I came into the football field.

For how many years did you played for Kerala?

I played 12 years for Kerala.

How was your transformation from a football player to a Referee?

Refereeing was not a career chosen by me. I didn't have any idea about refereeing as a footballer. But when some decisions of a referee affect the result of the game, I always wanted to know the laws and rules behind the decision, especially when there occurs a conflict between referee and players.

How did you get a started in this field? Did you do any course?

Yes, I did a course on refereeing.
I used to read books on the laws of the game. But I couldn't understand a single word initially and still I use to refer to those type of books.
But my coming to this field was because of God's decision. When we were playing the Senior Nationals we faced a problem with an offside decision and we were out in the semifinals. In the journey back in train I got hold of a 2-3 days old newspaper. As I was going through it I came across an advertisement of a course on Refereeing by Prof. Peter Thomman. I knew him since my college days. On reaching home I called him and expressed my interest on joining the course. He told me to join the course even if I was late by 3 days. Only because of Peter Sir got to I join the course. One day Andrew Sir came to take a class during the course he asked whether I am really interested to become a referee. I told him that I just came to the course and I will do according to his advice. From then till this day he is my guide in this field.

Which was you first International match as Referee?

The 'Four Nations Cup' held in Korea in 2001.

How was the support you received from Kerala Football Association?

I received immense support from the Kerala FA. When a person reaches upto the FIFA level there will be a lot of support in the background from KFA to FIFA.

As this refereeing field is a man dominated field, did you have a determination to reach this level?

I have never faced any discrimination of being a female while I was playing. Even I myself didn't ever think about that. During training I was always with boys. Only in tournaments and camps I have played with other women. Here we have many clubs like Eagles, Santosh, Hanson, etc; all of them have state players. I had the opportunity to train with them. They never separated or discriminated me. Infact I was trained equally harshly as boys. I had great experiences playing with them. In my refereeing career also I have never faced any discrimination as a woman.

Any memorable tournaments in your career?

It is very difficult to find a satisfiable tournament in a refereeing career because there are so many aspects for satisfaction like coaches, teams, spectators, self satisfaction, etc. But still I have a 'Memorable Game'. It was an Olympic qualifying match held in Japan. It was the semifinal between Japan and China. It was a very good match. I was fully satisfied, AFC officials were satisfied, all were satisfied. It was an AFC match and it might be the reason for getting me selected for the Olympics thereafter. I never expected that. Anyway I was rejoiced in the returning journey. After that I never experienced such a joy.

Bad experiences or forgettable moments in career?

No, nothing like that in my refereeing career. Now the rules are very strict, no violence against referees (laughing). But there are so many in my footballing career like penalty loss.

What has been your experience with your Assistant Referees?

When I am the referee the assistant referees should obey me. I should serve instructions to them. Rules of the game are very clear they will have little doubts. For communication I use English, body language, etc.

You know India is not a top football nation. But you are a referee from India. How did you get selected by FIFA?

(Serious) It is a truth that we are not strong in the arena of football. Here we don't have any league or top level matches. The selection committee looks for experience and it includes all these. So naturally they will have doubt that how can a good referee come up from such a country. But with god's grace I overcame all obstacles in my way.

Can you please share your experiences at the Under-20 FIFA Women's World Cup held in Russia last year?

It was my first FIFA Tournament. It was also for the first time FIFA introduced an Under-20 Women's football tournament and it was a great experience for me. There occurred an unforgettable incident in my refereeing career.
During my course we had to study the Laws of the game. At certain questions I use to think why they are teaching us minute and silly things. But my overconfidence was ended through this incident. It happened in the match between Argentina and USA. Both the teams came back to the field for the second half of the game. I enquired with the teams whether they have any substitutions. Both teams said they have none. Usually we never ask such a question. But luckily I asked and when I checked with the substitution stand list, I noticed that two players presently playing for USA were the substitutes. I was shocked, wondered what to do? It is not allowable. I checked with the USA coach. He gave me a vague answer and when I stopped play the coach patted on my shoulder and said "Referee, we are only learning". It was unexpected for me. USA is a nation which knows the game very well. No doubt, it was cheating. If I would not have noticed it, it would have turned out to be a great problem because one of the substitute players later got a red card and went out. If I hadn't noticed, it would have resulted in the end of my refereeing career. FIFA does not tolerate irresponsibility. FIFA doesn't look at the colour of skin or patch on the forehead, it only looks for talent. Otherwise I would not have been a FIFA referee. The USA team did the same thing in the next match again but there it was easy for the referee to detect. It is something that usually teams do not do at such a FIFA level match. Whatever it is, I got a great experience.
My next matches were between Nigeria vs. Canada & Argentina vs. Congo. Those matches included two African teams. Usually Asian teams are easy and they play without being problematic, but African teams are very rough. My first red card in the refereeing career was in the Argentina Vs Congo game. Usually they say I am shy and hesitate to give a card. But after one or two games I realized that I should be stricter.
It was a great experience!

Do you have any Role models?

No, no one like that.

What is your opinion about that penalty decision made by the referee in the Pre-Quarterfinal match of 2006 FIFA World Cup between Italy and Australia?

I would have been against that decision if I were not a referee. But from the view point of a referee, if we look at it, a referee's decision is not taken single-handedly. There are so many to support the referee like the match commissioners, field instructors, etc. Instructions are given to referee. FIFA selects some referees, gives them FIFA instructions and referees have to follow these. So I think it was a good decision, I heard. Many of them were against it but the referee was courageous enough to take such a decision. There were only 5 seconds remaining to end of that match, so he could have closed his eyes.

Do you feel that you are not getting the recognition or fame that a celebrity gets?

I am not interested in such things. Name, Fame, Money; all are secondary to me. My primary concern is satisfaction. I am doing all these for my satisfaction. So I am least bothered if I am not getting due recognition.

Who is favourite International player?

I don't have any such favourite in any field. I am interested only in the enjoyment of watching a game.

Do you feel that Cricket has affected the development of football?

(Furious) I am ashamed to say that Cricket is a sport. What are they doing? Where are they standing in this world? Only some SAARC countries & European nations play cricket. It is actually a business. The Media are promoting them very much. There is also chance for Advertisement. I don't know why all the awards for sports are given to Cricketers in India?

What are your observations on Indian football? Do you have any suggestions towards its development?

There is no answer to this question in one word. Long term projects should be undertaken. I think the All India Football Federation has a long term vision about the 2010 World Cup. The main problem is lack of basic needs. We have talented players, but we are not utilising them properly. They should be given practice matches regularly, only then can we improve. Look at Cricket, they fail and then win, but they are playing regularly. Same should be done with the Indian football team. Let them fail, but allow them to play in foreign lands. Basically money matters a lot. All sports stars do not come from well-off families, especially football players. They should be provided with necessary aids.
There were so many girls who were even more talented than me, who I have seen struggling to buy even boots. But my family gave me immense support. I got foreign boots from my brothers. They wanted me to attain a good position. I was lucky. But that is not the case with many others. The government is now giving help when they reach a certain level. But that is not enough. At least when players play for India or when their team wins, they could be provided with jobs. The government is giving, but that is not enough.

How was the government support for you?

(A little Furious) While I was playing, the Kerala government didn't give me anything. I represented India for six years and I got a job but not even a single incentive. I am not expecting anything but there are people expecting such moves from the government. Our government is incapable of giving an incentive of Rs.75/-. I am a person who was vice-captain of India and played 6 years for India. There is a Civil Service Pension plan in the Kerala government, according to which when we go to All-India Tournaments we get incentives. I have got 3 medals but not even a single incentive. Some people even ask "Oh you have played this much"? Our government condition is this. Then how can they promote football? I am not saying that government is not doing anything. They are giving jobs to 20 people, but these people when they get a job they stop playing because they want to look after their families with that income. If they want to continue sports they should be given some other kind of incentives. The government has to bring many sponsors to this area and they have to make sure that money spend in the name of sports reach the hands of the deserving. Players like IM Vijayan, Anju Bobby George, etc take their own personal risks to continue with their careers. But that is not possible with many other talented sportspersons.

What is the goal in your life?

To continue refereeing. First my goal was to become a good football player. I became referee because of Andrew Sir. It was his support and wish. During 2000 Olympics, I was entering into this career and was going to appear for the national test. At that time Peter Sir, Shankar Sir and Andrew Sir told me they want to see me as an Olympic referee in a Women's match. I was taken back and told them that I hadn't even become a referee. But next time around I was an Olympic referee. Now my next target is the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China.

What are your hobbies?

Listening to music; and watching and enjoying football!
I stopped playing now because of injuries. Shortly before I was out for a month due to an injury. Then I decided not to take any risks. Players also injure me on purpose because I am now a referee.

Do you have any persons to thank?

To reach this level in my life I am greatly obliged to many! Without them I would have never reached all this level.

You might have heard about VP Sathyan's death? As a fellow footballer what have you to say about him?

During that time I was not here. I was in Australia. One of my friends told me the sad news. I was really shocked. I saw him for the last time in Delhi for an AIFF meeting. He was a very good player. People always recognised him. He was a celebrity and had a good name. If he was in Kerala we could have given him a good post and preserved him.
Similarly, recently only I came to know the death of Thomas Master (Thomas Sebastain). He also was a good player.

Lastly, what have you to say to your successors in this field?

I don't actually think there is anyone new who has come after me into this field from Kerala. I prefer to be a player rather than an official because the satisfaction that I gained from being a player was much higher than the present situation. I have name, money nad other facilities by being an official, but the enjoyment rate is low and the responsibility rate is high. Maybe due to all this workload is also high. Whatever work I had done during my career as a player is only one-third of my present day work. If I don't perform well, I only will be the loser. But when you are a player the work is team work and the individual performance depends on the team's performance. But I am paid for my work!
This career is tough. Especially after the coming of the new fitness level. The game is very fast now. There are many good referees, but they then fail the fitness test.
First of all we have to know what is a FIFA referee. The applying of what we have learnt in the field is necessary. Some of them may be lacking this ability or whether there is lack of enough media coverage? I don't know. Any way it is a good field.

All the best for your future as a referee!
And thank you for talking to us at IndianFootball.Com!