Referee Silvia Marziali Bids a Sweet Farewell to the EuroLeague: She Is Pregnant
Silvia Marziali, the only female referee in Italy’s top basketball league, revealed on Instagram that she is pregnant, explaining her absence over the past few months. “Over the past 20 years, there hasn’t been a single day when I haven’t thought about basketball. I gave it everything—everything I had and even what I didn’t have—and I don’t think I sacrificed much, though I remember that little bit very well.
I’ve always asked myself many questions, and the topic of motherhood has been anything but static—though certainly without pressure: I’ve reevaluated its meaning many times, thinking it through deeply, finding few answers, and always leaving the matter open-ended, aware that for me it was a choice and never a duty or an inevitable step simply because I’m a woman.”
“I really love the life I’ve built for myself. Then one day I fell in love, and things took on a new, different perspective. When I found out I was pregnant a couple of months ago, the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts kept me quite busy, but it was a lot of fun to observe my own emotional rollercoaster of doubts, happiness, and, of course, fear. In the end, if I had to sum it up, I think I’ve realized that life is far too big to be limited to just (a lot of) basketball… and even though I already miss the court so much, I’m fairly certain we’ll be back there again next year. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been there for me during this time. I never felt alone.”
Silvia Marziali revealed to *La Gazzetta dello Sport* that she received a call from the EuroLeague this summer: “This wasn’t a planned pregnancy; the idea was there, but not right away. In July, I got the call to referee in the EuroLeague—my plans were completely different… but then, a few weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. During training, I felt exhausted, then I started feeling sick: nausea, acid reflux—the typical symptoms.”
“I’m not a young girl anymore; I’m 38 and a half. For a long time, I didn’t even think about it, because I was focused on my career: basketball, basketball, basketball. I knew full well that motherhood would have major repercussions, but the idea didn’t weigh on me: as a woman, I didn’t feel the need to have a child at all costs. I didn’t feel any less fulfilled, even though there are still people who look down on you if you’re not a mother at my age. That’s often still the prevailing perception, even for someone like me, who studied medicine, graduated at 29, and has dedicated my life to sports. My dream is that in the future, no woman will feel obligated to have children, but will do so only when she truly wants to. And I hope that all women can enjoy the proper protections in the workplace.”
