All-female referee team ‘not afraid’ of Uefa Super Cup challenge

Referee Stephanie Frappart says she and her team of all-female on-field match officials are “not afraid” ahead of Wednesday’s Uefa Super Cup final.

History will be made on Wednesday as the clash between Liverpool and Chelsea sees a female referee officiate the final of a Uefa men’s competition for the first time.

Frappart to make history: Five key things to know…

• Wednesday’s Uefa Super Cup final sees Liverpool and Chelsea go head to head.
• Frappart will become the first female referee to officiate the final of a Uefa men’s competition.
• She also became the first female referee to oversee a Ligue 1 match in April 2019.
• Frappart has officiated in 143 men’s matches in France to date, as well as the 2019 Women’s World Cup final.
• She says her team are “not afraid” of Wednesday’s game.

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Frappart will be flanked by Manuela Nicolosi of Italy and Irish official Michelle O’Neill as her assistant referees.

However, it could be argued that this isn’t even Frappart’s biggest game this summer having already overseen the 2019 Women’s World Cup final, while she has also officiated in Ligue 1 games in the past.

“We train a lot of the time, so we are not afraid because we are always ready for all the games,” the 35-year-old said.

Although she and her team are keeping their nerves firmly at bay, Frappart does admit her life has changed since the appointment, with her popularity growing worldwide.

“I’m now popular all over the world,” she added. “But I was also appointed in Ligue 1, so I know the feelings and emotions and how to manage them and how to train for [the occasion].

“This is not my first appointment.”

Frappart has taken charge of 143 men’s matches in France to date, including two Ligue 1 matches, showing 362 yellow cards and 11 red cards during that time.

Lampard: This appointment has been due

Following Chelsea’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, Wednesday’s clash is also a big one for Frank Lampard, who will oversee his first final as Blues boss.

And the former England international has expressed his pride at being a part of history, saying Frappart’s appointment is something which has been “due” in men’s football.

He said: “It’s great news, great news. I am very pleased to be a part of this moment in history, it is very much due.

“The game has come a long way, in many ways in terms of the Women’s World Cup which we all watched this summer. In terms of how much respect the game’s getting, how many people are watching it.

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“We were very slow on this in many ways and they are now getting the interest. We are very pleased to be part of it and that we are making big strides in the development.

“It is a historical moment and another step in the right direction, I would say.”

While Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added: “Finally. I think it is time. I have had experienced of this in Germany.

“I’m really happy we can be part of this historical moment. It’s a smart decision to finally have a women referee a very, very important game.”