Stephanie Frappart has been selected to referee Liverpool vs Chelsea in the Uefa Super Cup to become the first female official of a major Uefa men’s showpiece match.
The Frenchwoman took charge of the Fifa Women’s World Cup final earlier this summer as the United States defeat the Netherlands in Lyon.
And now Uefa have decided to hand her another big match at the Vodafone Park in Istanbul on 14 August.
Frappart will lead a team of mostly female officials: Manuela Nicolosi of France and Michelle O’Neal from the Republic of Ireland will be her assistants for the match.
Nicolosi and O’Neal also officiated at the Women’s World Cup final, while the fourth official will be Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir.
Frappart “fully deserves” her opportunity, claimed Uefa’s chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti, while Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin hopes the appointment will provide “inspiration” to millions of girls and women around Europe.
“I have said on many occasions that the potential for women’s football has no limits and I am delighted that Stéphanie Frappart has been appointed to officiate at this year’s UEFA Super Cup along with assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O’Neal,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
“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.”
