UEFA confirms first woman to referee men’s final

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - A female referee will take charge of a major UEFA men’s final for the first time.

"History will be made at the UEFA Super Cup on 14 August in Istanbul as Stephanie Frappart will lead a team of predominately female officials who will take charge of the encounter between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC," UEFA said in a statement on Friday.

"This will be the first time that a female official takes charge of a major UEFA men's competition event – a showpiece match seen as the curtain-raiser to the new season, pitting the UEFA Champions League holders against the winners of the UEFA Europa League at Besiktas Park in Istanbul," UEFA said.

The 35-year-old was also the referee of FIFA Women's World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in Lyon in July.

"She will be accompanied by Manuela Nicolosi of France and Michelle O'Neal from the Republic of Ireland who will be the assistant referees for the match. The pair, like Frappart, also officiated at the Women's World Cup final on 7 July. The fourth official will be Turkey's Cuneyt Cakir," UEFA added.

France's Frappart is the first referee to take charge in a UEFA men's final but she is not the first female referee assigned to a men's UEFA competition match. Switzerland’s Nicole Petignat refereed three UEFA Cup qualifying round games between 2004 and 2009.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will also be used for the event.