England’s International Friendly Against Senegal to be Refereed by Trailblazing Female Official Stephanie Frappart
In a historic move, female referee Stephanie Frappart has been appointed to take charge of England’s international friendly against Senegal tonight. The French official has etched her name in Three Lions history, becoming the first female to oversee an England men’s senior game when they took on Australia at Wembley in 2023.
According to The Independent, Frappart’s appointment is a significant milestone in her illustrious career, which has seen her break numerous glass ceilings in the world of football. She was the first woman to referee in France’s top two men’s divisions, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, and has since gone on to officiate in Europe’s upper echelons, including the Champions League and Super Cup.
Frappart’s achievements extend to the international stage, where she became the first female to oversee a men’s World Cup fixture in Qatar in 2022, leading Germany’s clash with Costa Rica. She has also officiated at three Women’s World Cups, including the latest edition in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
As reported by The Independent, Peter Elsworth, FA head of refereeing operations, praised Frappart’s abilities, stating, “Stephanie is an outstanding referee and she has officiated on the highest stage within France, across Europe and at the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup.”
The FA also noted that they were keen to appoint Frappart when the French Football Federation indicated her availability. Alongside Frappart for the game will be assistant referees Aurelien Drouet and Camille Soriano, with Abdelatif Kherradji as fourth official. Mathieu Vernice is VAR alongside AVAR Benoit Miller, completing the lineup of French officials.
Frappart’s appointment comes at a time when England is looking to improve on a lacklustre display against Andorra on Sunday, which saw them emerge as slender 1-0 victors against much weaker opposition. Thomas Tuchel’s side will be looking to put on a better show against Senegal, with Frappart tasked with keeping the game under control.
As The Independent previously reported, Frappart has been a trailblazer for women in football, paving the way for future generations of female officials. Her appointment for the England-Senegal friendly is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
In a statement, the FA confirmed that Frappart’s appointment was a deliberate move to recognise her exceptional refereeing skills. The England-Senegal friendly promises to be an exciting encounter, with Frappart taking centre stage as the referee.
The match will take place at the City Ground, with fans eagerly anticipating the clash. As the game approaches, attention will be focused on Frappart, who will be looking to make a positive impact on the game.
Sources:
The Independent:
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