UEFA Super Cup 2019: UEFA announce first female referee to officiate a Major UEFA match. She will be in charge of the UEFA curtain raiser between Chelsea and Liverpool.
Stephanie Frappart has been named the referee for the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea. In doing so, she has become the first female to officiate in a major UEFA men’s football competition.
The Frenchwomen will be assisted by compatriot Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O’Neal from the Republic of Ireland. The fourth official will be Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir.
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The ground breaking announcement was made soon after Frappart was honoured with the opportunity to officiate the FIFA Women’s World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in Lyon.
She was also in charge of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 semi-final, where the Dutch hosts played England, and refereed the final of the 2012 UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship, also in Turkey.
She has also broken barriers in club football. Frappart is the first female referee to officiate a men’s Ligue 1 match. The Val-d’Oise native has now been promoted to join the pool of Ligue 1 referees on a permanent basis for the 2019/20 season.
“There should be no barriers in order to reach one’s dreams”
Speaking on the appointment, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said:
“I have said on many occasions that the potential for women’s football has no limits. 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.
“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.”
The UEFA Super Cup 2019 will pit the Champions League and Europa League winners against each other. The current holders are Atletico Madrid who beat Real Madrid last summer. This year Chelsea and Liverpool will go head to head. The Super Cup is a UEFA showpiece event meant to signify the onset of a new season.
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