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History is set to be made as female referee will take charge of a major UEFA men’s competition event for the very first time.
Stephanie Frappart has been appointed to officiate Liverpool’s Super Cup clash with Chelsea on August 14. The French official refereed a Ligue 1 match in April as well as last month’s Women’s World Cup final and has now made a step up to the UEFA Super Cup clash which will be played at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on August 14.
It isn’t just going to be Frappart as the female officiating; it’ll indeed be an all female officiating, as Frappart will be joined by compatriot Manuela Nicolosi and Ireland’s Michelle O’Neal. However, experienced Champions League referee Cuneyt Cakir will be the fourth official and Frenchman Clement Turpin is leading the VAR unit.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin believes it is a landmark achievement for football and believes that Frappart will not be the last woman to officiate in the men’s game.
In a statement, UEFA president Aleksander 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.”
Chelsea will aim to win the Super Cup for the second time in the club’s history following our triumph over Real Madrid in Monaco in 1998. The Blues were beaten by Atletico Madrid 4-1 in 2012 and lost to Bayern Munich on penalties, a year later.
