Bundesliga to make history with first female referee

Steinhaus became the first German professional football female referee in 2007 and the German football federation confirmed that she will form part of the league's elite group of 24 referees.

"She deserves it through her great performances," Bremen coach Alexander Nouri said on her appointment.

Hoffenheim's Julian Nagelsmann added, "I'm happy. It's all the same to me if a man or a woman is refereeing - the main thing is that they do the job well."

The 38-year-old has already spent over a decade officiating in the German second division and has plenty of experience with the country's top players, having refereed in German Cup games as well.

Steinhaus is the daughter of a ref and began officiating women's games for the DFB in 1999 before become a FIFA referee in 2005, earning her place in the second division in 2007 as the first female ref in German professional football.