Manuela Nicolosi has opened up on her looks(Image: manuelanicolosi_arbitra/Instagram)

A stunning referee who once officiated Chelsea versus Liverpool has been told to tone down her attention-grabbing looks.

Manuela Nicolosi, 45, has officiated more than 200 professional matches across men's and women's football during her career - including as an assistant for the 2019 Super Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, she has now been told that her looks are "attracting too much attention". Speaking to Italian outlet Quotidiano Sportivo, she was asked if her looks have ever proved a barrier.

"No, on the contrary. All my superiors told me: you have to be less visible, you attract too much attention.

"One year I wasn't promoted from Serie C to Serie B because I was too 'visible'. I was on the verge of giving up. Technical errors or failed athletic tests are one thing.

Manuela Nicolosi is an Italian referee(Image: manuelanicolosi_arbitra/Instagram)

"But having them stop me by telling me 'you're flashy' is a big deal. I left Italy at 20 because I realised they didn't want...