Rio de Janeiro, June 21:

Brazilian assistant referee Ana Paula de Oliveira is to appear naked in the Brazilian edition of the magazine Playboy, a move that has sparked controversy in the football-crazy nation.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) “will analyse the implications

the episode could have for the assistant to carry out her function,” Edson Rezende, chairman of the CBF’s Refereeing Commission, said in a statement.

This might pave the way for a new sanction on Oliveira, 29. The woman has already

been withdrawn from the list of referees in the Brazilian Championship, after disallowing a legitimate goal in the semi-finals of the Brazilian Cup.

The pretty referee, who continues to be active in games in the state of Sao Paulo, signed a deal with Playboy on Monday and is set to appear naked in the edition of the magazine, which will be published in July. According to press reports, Oliveira is to get up to $230,000 for the photo shoots.

Her decision caused controversy in the Brazilian football community, where there was already some resistance to the presence of a woman among mostly male referees.

“I am against any woman taking her clothes off in public. I think that will not be good for her professional career,” said Botafogo midfielder Lucio Flavio.

However, the CBF was not so stern in its position. “The decision taken by assistant referee Ana Paula de Oliveira of having photos taken for a magazine is personal and, in principle, the Refereeing Commission will not adopt any particular attitude,” Rezende said.