# Retirement of Swiss referee Désirée Blanco

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/retirement-of-swiss-referee-dsire-blanco
> Updated: 2026-09-08T17:43:51.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Swiss football referee Désirée Blanco has announced her immediate retirement from top-level officiating due to health concerns. The 43-year-old, a former Swiss national player, had previously been fitted with a pacemaker four years ago following complications from a COVID-19 infection.

Following cardiological examinations in August that revealed new irregularities, Blanco decided to step down rather than continue subjecting herself to the extreme physical and mental demands of elite football. While she noted she remains fit for general sports, she stated she did not want to risk her health further. 

Blanco’s final match took place during a Swiss Super League fixture between FC Basel and FC Lugano. Her career included officiating numerous men’s matches in the Swiss top flight as well as high-level international assignments, such as matches during the Women’s EURO.

## Claims

- Désirée Blanco has retired from professional refereeing effective immediately due to heart problems. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Blanco received a pacemaker four years ago. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Recent cardiological examinations revealed new irregularities. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Blanco officiated 23 matches in the Swiss first league. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Her final match was between FC Basel and FC Lugano. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Blanco's heart issues were exacerbated by a COVID-19 infection during the pandemic. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Désirée Blanco retires from football refereeing due to heart issues

Swiss FIFA referee Désirée Blanco has retired immediately due to heart health issues, including complications following a previous pacemaker implantation and a COVID-19 infection.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dsire-blanco-retires-from-football-refereeing-due-to-heart-issues

### 2026-09-06: Désirée Blanco retires from top-level refereeing

Swiss referee Désirée Blanco has retired immediately from elite football following health concerns identified during a recent cardiological checkup.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dsire-blanco-retires-from-top-level-refereeing

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Cite as: Retirement of Swiss referee Désirée Blanco. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/retirement-of-swiss-referee-dsire-blanco