History will be made at the UEFA Super Cup on 14 August in Istanbul as Stéphanie Frappart will lead a team of predominately female officials who will take charge of the encounter between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC,
UEFA say they are breaking new ground by appointing Frappart, this being the first time that a female official takes charge of a major UEFA men’s competition event.
Frappart will be accompanied by Manuela Nicolosi of France and Michelle O’Neal from the Republic of Ireland who will be the assistant referees for the match. The pair, like Frappart, also officiated at the Women’s World Cup final on 7 July. The fourth official will be Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin 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 Stéphanie 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.”
UEFA chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti praised Frappart’s ability as an official and said she “fully deserves” the opportunity to oversee such a high-profile fixture.
“Stéphanie has proved over a number of years that she is one of the best female referees, not just in Europe but across the world,” said Rosetti.
“She has the ability to officiate on the biggest stage, as she proved at this year’s Women’s World Cup final. I hope this match in Istanbul will provide her with yet more experience as she enters the prime of her refereeing career.”
Frappart created history domestically in France as she became the first female referee to officiate a Ligue 1 match, as she took charge of the match between SC Amiens and RC Strasbourg in April. In June, it was announced that the Val-d’Oise native would be promoted to join the pool of Ligue 1 referee on a permanent basis for the 2019/20 season.
However, the 35-year-old Frappart is not the first female referee assigned to a men’s UEFA competition match. That honour went to Switzerland’s Nicole Petignat who refereed three UEFA Cup qualifying round games between 2004 and 2009.
