Frenchwoman makes history as the first female referee to take charge of a men’s World Cup match
- Three women referees took charge of Germany v Costa Rica World Cup game
- Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart, 38, led the line up of the all-female team
- Her assistant referees were Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina
- Frappart already refereed men’s games in qualifying and the Champions League
History was made this evening as three women referees took charge of the World Cup game between Germany and Costa Rica.
Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart led the line up which marked the first time in a men’s World Cup game where an all-female refereeing team was in charge.
The 38-year-old also became the first female official at the tournament when she was named as the fourth official for Mexico and Poland’s game last Tuesday.
Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart led the line up which marked the first time in a men’s World Cup game where an all-female refereeing team was in charge
Miss Frappart was joined by two assistant referees, Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina, at the Al Bayt Stadium
Miss Frappart was joined by two assistant referees, Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina, at the Al Bayt Stadium.
In the lead-up to the game, asked if she ever had comments from players, managers or fans due to being a woman, Miss Frappart said: ‘Since I started I was always supported by teams, clubs and players. I was always welcome in the stadium so I feel like another referee inside the pitch. I was always welcome, so I think I will be welcome as before.’
Miss Frappart was also the first woman to take charge of a match in a major men’s Uefa competition when Liverpool and Chelsea met in the 2019 European Super Cup.
The 38-year-old also became the first female official at the tournament when she was named as the fourth official for Mexico and Poland’s game last Tuesday
Miss Frappart was also the first woman to take charge of a match in a major men’s Uefa competition when Liverpool and Chelsea met in the 2019 European Super Cup
She has aready refereed men’s games in World Cup qualifying and the Champions League, and this year’s men’s French Cup final
She also took charge of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final for Fifa
She has already refereed men’s games in World Cup qualifying and the Champions League, and this year’s men’s French Cup final. She also took charge of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final for Fifa.
Social media users hailed the momentous occasion and the ‘remarkable Stephanie Frappart’.
One user wrote: ‘There she is! Stephanie Frappart ends a 92-year wait for a female referee at a men’s World Cup game.
‘Here’s to women reaching new heights and taking space at the biggest stage.’
The Mayor of London also joined in praise, posting on Twitter: ‘Brilliant to see this huge milestone for football – the first all-woman on-field refereeing team at any men’s World Cup.’
Another user said: ‘After 92 years, 942 matches & a seismic shift in football’s attitudes to women. . . on Thursday night Stéphanie Frappart will become the first woman to take charge of a men’s match at the tournament finals.’