Stephanie Frappart, first woman set to referee men's World Cup game, takes social media by storm
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Nov 30, 2022, 5:09 PM ISTStephanie Frappart will take charge of the Qatar World Cup 2022 group stage encounter between Costa Rica and Germany on December 2, becoming the first woman to take control of a men's World Cup game in the competition's 92-year history.
Stephanie Frappart, a French referee, was chosen to oversee the match between Germany and Costa Rica on Thursday. She will make history as the first woman to officiate a men's World Cup game at the Qatar 2022 showpiece event.
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During the Group E match at Al Bayt Stadium, the 38-year-old will be assisted on the field by Brazilian Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina.
History is set to be made on Thursday! 🤩
There will be an all-female refereeing trio taking charge for the first time at a men's in the match between Costa Rica and Germany.
Referee Stéphanie Frappart will be joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz. 👏 pic.twitter.com/fgHfh2DICK
Frappart has made history at the tournament, becoming the first female official for a men's World Cup match when she was the fourth official for the goalless draw between Mexico and Poland last Tuesday.
Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan are two of the three female referees FIFA named on its roster of 36 for the competition, which will also include Qatar.
A historic day for women in football! 👏
Both Stephanie Frappart and Salima Mukansanga became the first women to officiate at a men’s after being named fourth officials in two of yesterday’s fixtures.
Congratulations and the best is yet to come! 😁 pic.twitter.com/lbql32ufRV
The French official's name is already recorded in historical books. Stephanie Frappart presided over the Netherlands' 2-0 victory over Latvia in Amsterdam in March 2021 to make history as the first woman to officiate a men's World Cup qualifier.
When Italian champions Juventus defeated Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in the group stage in Turin in December 2020, Stephanie Frappart made history as the first female official to oversee a men's Champions League match. She also officiated the Super Cup game between Liverpool and Chelsea in 2019 and the US versus Netherlands women's World Cup final in the same year.
Before the competition began, Frappart expressed her hope that having female referees in Qatar would "make things happen" more generally. "It's a strong sign from FIFA and the authorities to have women referees in that country," she said.
Costa Rica vs Germany is among the most crucial group-stage matches left in the competition. Germany is now last in Group E and needs to win to hope to make the Qatar World Cup 2022's round of 16. Additionally, Costa Rica needs at least a draw to have a shot at moving on. However, both teams will have to wait until the game's conclusion between Spain and Japan to learn the final result.
Stephanie Frappart has taken social media by storm, with several football fans applauding FIFA for this 'historic' move and a few trolling the Frenchwoman ahead of crucial Costa Rica vs Germany clash.
"But Qatar don't respect women's rights," noted one Twitter user, while another added, "They are killing the sport."
A third user stated, "Love this!!! Get them in the Prem to sort the shit Refs out!" while a fourth added, "Good plan to make Germany knockout in their last group game."
Here's a look at what how football enthusiasts reacted to this landmark move by FIFA:
The comments https://t.co/8wFNTgHlEB pic.twitter.com/usQCfwETPl
— Natalie Pirks (@Natpirks)But but but Qatar don’t respect women’s rights https://t.co/bw2H4BDQdw
— Shum (@_shumsonline_)What an EMPOWERMEMT of WOMEN in 21st century in this world . Can you believe this. Great Great 👍 👌. Football is the Great leveller . https://t.co/oAxLmhtoSc
— Samiran Datta (@SamiranDatta5)What if they can’t keep up, we run faster https://t.co/ZnezCPRWBP pic.twitter.com/k0JPB4EUbW
— MisterA 11019 (@MISTER___A____7)Good plan to make Germany knockout in their last group game https://t.co/OpWCEXZviP
— 🇦🇷 (@Sahilhere09)She’s a better ref than most of the cuck lord refs in the Premier League. Replies ain’t it, just some sexist no pussy getting niggas in there https://t.co/NG0tzg1Zi9
— Billy (@BillyKdxr)I need her to give costa Rica 3 penalties in the first half 🚶 https://t.co/fbIVRPQez7
— Charlie |\/|OORE (@Charlie__M23)They are killing the sport https://t.co/kmUKCnsgeS
— ___ßose 🇫🇷 (@Limitless_xix)The fact that this is gonna happen in a MUSLIM COUNTRY of all countries when the West are always the ones to talk shit about the “supposed” oppression of Women’s right in the Middle East 😂 https://t.co/8YQpryvlDf
— 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 ꨄ (@baddiexsari)Love this!!! Get them in the Prem to sort the shit Refs out! https://t.co/mgsAFyD0lq
— Paul D (@delmo_del)Gender equality is a wonderful thing 👏
And the match of the women's team is equally interesting https://t.co/1jI083HBid
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