Monterrey, the club featuring center-back Sergio Ramos, lost 2-3 to Cincinnati in the opening round of the Leagues Cup on 1/8.

Katia Itzel Garcia shares a screenshot of the threatening message. Photo: MexSport

Katia Itzel Garcia shares a screenshot of the threatening message. Photo: MexSport

Many Monterrey fans blamed Garcia for the loss. Within 48 hours after the match, the 32-year-old referee received numerous messages, including death threats and threats against her family.

Garcia shared the messages on social media to call for public condemnation of the violence. "I completely reject violence in all its forms. We cannot normalize brutality in a country where 91 people are murdered every day, including 10 women," she wrote on Instagram.

Garcia's post was later republished by ESPN, gaining widespread attention in the sports world.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino immediately issued a statement: "I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the threats against Katia. There is no football without referees. We must protect them. There is no place for abuse, discrimination, or violence in football and in society".

FIFA also pledged to support the investigation and hold those responsible for the threats accountable.

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) was the first to issue a statement supporting Garcia and said it would provide legal assistance and accompany her in filing a complaint with the authorities.

CONCACAF, the co-organizer of the Leagues Cup, called the threats "despicable and unacceptable" and announced it would investigate the identities of the accounts that posted the messages.

Monterrey, whose fans are believed to have sent the threats, also issued a statement condemning the violence. "Under no circumstances can threats to any individual in the professional football environment be tolerated," the statement read.

Mexican referee Katia Itzel Garcia. Photo: Record

Mexican referee Katia Itzel Garcia. Photo: Record

Born on 1/9/1992 in Mexico City, Garcia began officiating in 2015 and became a professional referee a year later. In 2019, she was recognized by FIFA as an international referee, becoming one of the few Mexican women to achieve this milestone.

In 3/2024, Garcia made history in Mexican football by becoming the first female referee in 20 years to officiate a Liga MX match – the men's national championship. The match between Pachuca and Queretaro marked not only a step forward in her career but also a milestone for gender equality in sports in Mexico.

Garcia was also the first female referee to officiate a match in the second division Liga de Expansion MX in 2022. She has officiated in major tournaments like the 2022 U17 Women's World Cup, the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, the 2023 Women's World Cup, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2024 Women's Gold Cup.

Off the field, Garcia pursued her education. She studied Political Science and Public Administration at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and later studied law online. In 2025, UNAM honored her by naming a sports field on campus after her, symbolizing the combination of sports, education, and gender equality.

Hong Duy (via The New York Times)