UEFA Super Cup to feature first female referee

Stephanie Frappart will be the first female to officiate a major men’s match on August 14 at the UEFA Super Cup

This year’s UEFA Super Cup will feature a first in European men’s soccer when the first ever female ref will officiate the match. Stephanie Frappart, who was the first woman to officiate a Ligue 1 match during the 2017-18 season, will be the first female to referee a major men’s showpiece.

“I have said on many occasions that the potential for women’s football has no limits and I am delighted that Stephanie Frappart has been appointed to officiate at this year’s UEFA Super Cup along with assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O’Neal,” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said.

"As an organization, we place the utmost importance on the development of women’s football in all areas.I hope the skill and devotion that Stephanie 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."

Frappart also officiated the FIFA Women’s Wold Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in Lyon, France. Her crew will be predominately female as she’s joined by Manuela Nicolosi of France and Michelle O’Neal from the Republic of Ireland as her assistants.

Not only is this a huge step for men’s soccer, but it’s a huge step in the equality of women in sports. Men have long reigned supreme in the world of soccer, but women have made amazing strides to become their equals, not just as players, but as officials, managers and higher ups in various leagues around the globe. As the first female coach and first female refs appeared in American football, it’s about time that soccer caught up. Especially since it’s a sport played by both sexes.

Frappart is not only a trailblazer for women, but it shows how good she is at her job. No one would consider this if she didn’t have a good record as an official. Her hard work and attention to her craft are paving the way for other women and little girls to achieve their goals in a world driven by men. It’s a huge step in the right direction, and Frappart will go down in the history books as one of the greatest female referees of her time.