Overview
- Blanco announced an immediate end to her refereeing career after officiating the FC Lugano–FC Basel match last weekend, bringing forward a planned 2027 retirement.
- A routine cardiological check in early August revealed new abnormalities that medical staff warned could make the physical demands of top-level refereeing unsafe.
- She has lived with post-COVID heart damage and received a pacemaker in summer 2022 after episodes of very low heart rate, dizziness and reduced consciousness.
- Despite her health history she returned to elite duty, working in the men’s Swiss Super League from 2024 and at the Women’s Euro 2025, and she finished with 23 top-division Swiss matches.
- Her case underscores growing concerns about long-COVID cardiac effects in athletes and officials and shows how medical advice and reduced mental or physical readiness can force earlier retirements.