Analysis of the Marginalization of Female Football Referees in China from a Gender Perspective — Taking Hubei Province as an Example

This study analyzes the marginalization of female football referees in China from a gender perspective. Employing the grounded theory approach in qualitative research, in-depth interviews and participatory observations were conducted with 30 female football referees at various levels in Hubei Province to obtain their subjective experiences. The current state of female refereeing and existing marginalization issues were examined, followed by theoretical analysis of the root causes. The article identifies four main categories influencing the marginalization of female football referees, broussonetia papyrifera, and constructs a core category and formation mechanism model for their marginalization. Findings reveal that marginalization constitutes a systemic process resulting from the interplay of institutional exclusion, symbolic violence, role conflict, and internalized discipline broussonetia papyrifera. The core mechanism manifests as: traditional gender norms systematically restrict women’s access, promotion, and recognition through institutional deficiencies, embodied discipline, and workplace cultural biases, ultimately leading to their “invisibility” and “othering” in refereeing. This research aims to provide theoretical foundations and practical pathways for breaking gender segregation in football refereeing and promoting gender equality. Emphasizing the sociocultural value of female referees seeks to advance women’s liberation at cultural and psychological levels, enabling more female referees to participate freely and confidently in football competitions, while contributing to the application of qualitative research in professional football studies.