French referee Stephanie Frappart, along with Neuza Back and Karen Diaz Medina, will make World Cup history when they step onto the pitch ahead of the crucial Group E game between Germany and Costa Rica
ADVERTISEMENTThe first ever all-female referee team to take charge of a men's World Cup match will be in action tonight as Costa Rica face Germany in their crucial Group E encounter. (Thursday 1 December).
Stephanie Frappart will be the main arbiter with Neuza Back and Karen Diaz as the assistants.
Frappart, was the fourth official for the Poland-Mexico Group C match last week.
Frappart, who became the first woman to officiate at a men's World Cup qualifier in March and Champions League match in 2020, will now become the first woman to take charge of a men's World Cup match.
"I felt enormous emotion because it wasn't particularly expected, that I would be picked," said the 38 year-old French official. "So, I feel a lot of pride, a lot of honour, to represent France at the World Cup."
"I think I'll have everything that's around me in mind, and the aim will still be the same, that is to referee according to the performance on the pitch," Frappart added.
"We all have all earned the position to be here"
Costa Rica's head coach, Luis Fernando Suarez, spoke about FIFA recent announcement in a press conference.
"I am a deep admirer of everything that women have achieved. And I like that they want to keep achieving more," he told reporters.
"This is another step and I think it is important. It shows how good women are, how dedicated they are and how they can do things - especially in a male chauvinist sport like this - how far they can go. I am pleased."
In total, six female referees were selected to call games for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. They were all made to pass the same fitness tests as their male colleagues and are held to the same performance standards.
"We have all earned the position to be here... we are one team," said American Kathryn Nesbitt, one of the six female referees selected.
