Costa Rica-Germany
will remain in the history of the
World
Cup and, at least at the moment, not for the result.
The match on the third day of group E of the World Cup in
Qatar
will in fact be the first to be refereed by a
woman, Stephanie Frappart
.
The Frenchwoman is one of three female referees along with Japanese Yoshimi Yamashita and Rwandan Salima Mukansanga - in the group of 36 match officials at the World Cup and so far none had yet been chosen as referee.
All played the role of fourth official and Frappart made his debut in the Mexico-Poland match.
"It is a strong signal from Fifa to have female referees in Qatar - commented Frappart after the announcement of the whistles selected for the tournament -. I'm not a feminist spokesperson, but if this can make things happen...", she added, saying she was aware that she was "playing a role" as a role model for an entire generation of future female referees.
For the 38-year-old Frenchwoman, the World Cup is the logical continuation of a meteoric rise.
The first female referee in the French second division (2014), then in the men's Ligue 1 (2019), in the European Super Cup (August 2019), in the Champions League (December 2020) and in the Coupe de France final (May), Frappart is now very well established in the French and European arbitration scene.
Now another step, which certainly won't be the last.