Stephanie Frappart: Pioneering History in Football Officiating
Stephanie Frappart is no stranger to making her mark in the world of football, consistently etching her name into the sport’s annals of history.
Last December, Frappart created history by officiating the thrilling Germany vs. Costa Rica group stage match at the men’s FIFA World Cup. Her presence on the field marked a significant milestone as it was the first time a woman had served as a referee in the tournament’s storied history.
This accomplishment came on the heels of Frappart’s groundbreaking role as the first woman to serve as a fourth official at a men’s World Cup during the goalless draw between Mexico and Poland earlier in the competition.
Adding to her growing list of achievements, Frappart led an unprecedented all-female team, including assistants Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Diaz Medina from Mexico, in overseeing a high-stakes, six-goal thriller that culminated in Germany’s victory at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Staying true to her trailblazing reputation, Frappart is poised to make history once again as she becomes the first female official to oversee a men’s international match at the iconic Wembley Stadium. This historic event will occur when England faces Australia in a friendly match on Friday.
The Three Lions are set to clash with the Socceroos in this friendly encounter before they continue their Euro 2024 qualification campaign by hosting reigning European champions Italy. The highly-anticipated showdown is scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on 17 October, next Tuesday.
Before this monumental match, Frappart will step into the spotlight once more as she takes her place in the center of the pitch for England’s friendly against Australia.
This occasion holds immense significance for female officials worldwide who aspire to break barriers in men’s football. Frappart, who embarked on her refereeing journey at the age of 13, has been recognized by FIFA since 2009.
Her path to greatness includes refereeing matches in the third division of men’s football in France in 2011, becoming the first woman to officiate in Ligue 2 in 2014, and ultimately breaking new ground as the first female referee in Ligue 1 in April 2019, with her debut match featuring SC Amiens against RC Strasbourg.
Frappart’s record-breaking journey continued as she solidified her status as one of the world’s premier referees. She officiated the 2019 UEFA Super Cup clash between Liverpool and Chelsea, marking her as the first woman to officiate a major men’s European match. Subsequently, she oversaw the second leg of the inaugural Champions Cup competition, featuring the league winners of the League of Ireland Premier Division and the NIFL Premiership.
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In December 2020, Frappart added another remarkable achievement to her résumé by becoming the first woman to referee a Champions League match, taking charge of the Juventus vs. Dynamo Kyiv fixture. The following year, she broke new ground by officiating a FIFA World Cup qualifier, handling the match between Latvia and the Netherlands.
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