Sports
History made as UEFA names female referee for men’s match
Stephanie Frappart will become the first female official to referee a major UEFA men’s match when she takes charge of the Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea.
UEFA have confirmed Frappart, who refereed the FIFA Women’s World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in Lyon, will officiate the clash between the Champions League and Europa League winners in Istanbul on August 14, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Frappart will lead a team made up of predominantly female officials in the European season’s curtain raiser, with Manuela Nicolosi of France and Michelle O’Neal from the Republic of Ireland appointed as the assistant referees.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin believes Frappart’s appointment represents another significant step forward for women’s football.
“I have said on many occasions that the potential for women’s football has no limits and I am delighted that Stephanie Frappart has been appointed to officiate at this year’s Super Cup along with assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O’Neal,” Ceferin said.
“As an organisation, we place the utmost importance on the development of women’s football in all areas. I hope the skill and devotion that Stephanie has shown throughout her career to reach this level will provide inspiration to millions of girls and women around Europe and show them there should be no barriers in order to reach one’s dream.”
Frappart previously became the first female official to take charge of a Ligue 1 match when she oversaw a fixture between Amiens and Strasbourg in April, and the 35-year-old will join the pool of referee’s for France’s top flight in 2019-20.
Nicole Petignat has refereed in a UEFA men’s competition before Frappart, though they were not major games, with the Swiss official having taken charge of three qualification games for the Europa League between 2004 and 2009.
Frappart will have the help of VAR during the Super Cup, with male compatriot Clement Turpin set to be the video official.
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