RIO DE JANEIRO, June 30: History was made in Brazilian football on Sunday when an all-female officiating trio took charge of a first division match for the first time.

Referee Silvia Regina Oliveira, who showed eight yellow cards, and assistants Aline Lambert and Ana Paula Oliveira were jeered off the field after disallowing two goals by home team Guarani in their 1-0 defeat by Sao Paulo.

Lambert was surrounded by furious Guarani players after the second decision late in the game but television replays suggested both decisions were correct.

Replays also suggested the referee was right to allow Fabio Simplicio’s 43rd minute goal to stand despite Guarani claims that he was offside.

“It was a good performance. All three were very competent. The problem is that there’s a lot of sexism in football,” said former referee Claudio Cerdeira.

Guarani coach Pepe was not impressed.

“I didn’t like it,” he said.

“They should have added on eight minutes of injury time for the time-wasting by (Sao Paulo goalkeeper) Rogerio Ceni. All the decisions went in Sao Paulo’s favour.”

Sao Paulo continued their good run under former Chile coach Roberto Rojas as they moved into second place while Guarani slipped to 16th.

Cruzeiro stayed top with a 3-2 win over Internacional as coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo began a 30-day touchline ban.

Striker Deivid scored twice for Cruzeiro as he took his tally to 12 goals in 15 games.

Brazilian international Alex scored the third from a free kick while Daniel Carvalho and Andre, from a penalty, replied for the visitors.

Cruzeiro had Chilean international midfielder Claudio Maldonado sent off for a second bookable offence.

Veteran Romario limped off injured at halftime as his team lost 1-0 at Corinthians.—Reuters