Understated Stéphanie Frappart ready to break new ground

The French referee will take charge of the European Super Cup on Wednesday and take it in her stride

Referees tend not to clapped on to the pitch, let alone greeted with purpose-made banners, but supporters of Amiens decided to make an exception before their match against Strasbourg in April. It was a historic occasion, the first top-flight men’s match in France to be refereed by a woman, Stéphanie Frappart. “Welcome to the Stade de la Licorne, Madame Frappart,” read a banner held aloft by home fans. “Long live women in football!”

Maybe Liverpool and Chelsea fans are planning a similar display for when Frappart breaks new ground by taking charge of their European Super Cup final in Istanbul on Wednesday. That will be the first time a major European men’s final has been presided over by female officials, with Frappart assisted by her French compatriot Manuela Nicolosi and Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill. The trio have worked together at bigger matches – they were in charge of this year’s Women’s World Cup final – but there is no doubt they will be under singular focus at Vodafone Park on Wednesday.

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from Football | The Guardian http://bit.ly/31uIHLF