During one of the world’s biggest stages in Istanbul, referee Stephanie Frappart lead an all-female officiating team in the UEFA Super Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea — the first time a woman has ever refereed a major men’s European fixture.
This summer has been somewhat favorable for women. The semi-final match between England and the USA, during the 2019 FIF Women’s World Cup in July was the most-watched television of the year so far in Britain. It broke new ground around the world too: FIFA estimated that over a billion people watched the tournament.
Frappart, 35, has been breaking records for a while now. She refereed the women’s World Cup final between the USA and The Netherlands in July 2019, and she was the first woman to be appointed to the highest tier of referees in France — then ruling over her first Ligue 1 men’s match in April this year between SC Amiens and RC Strasbourg. Football is football, no matter the gender — but the UEFA Super Cup is a really big deal.
“I’m very happy, and it was really a surprise. I didn’t expect to be given the Super Cup assignment. It’s a great honor for me, and for female referees as well. I hope it serves as an example to female referees, and to any young girls who may aspire to be a referee” – Frappart
She was backed up by assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi from France and Michelle O’Neill from the Republic of Ireland — who she worked with as the USA won the World Cup last month.
