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Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a men’s Champions League match on December 2
In early December, Stephanie Frappart made soccer history.
When she left to take charge of Juventus’ match against Dynamo Kyiv, she became the first woman to referee a men’s Champions League match.
The Frenchwoman’s name was in all the world’s media, inspiring young women everywhere, but Frappart did not notice. In his own words, he lives in a bubble.
“I have no social media,” Frappart told BBC Sport.
“I never read newspapers about myself. I make my bubble. I know that in football everyone talks about referees and performance.
“I still ignore everything. I prefer it that way.”
It is not the first time that Frappart has engraved his name in football history books.
She was the first woman to take over a men’s match in a major UEFA competition when Liverpool and Chelsea met in the 2019 Super Cup.
That year the 37-year-old also refereed the Women’s World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands, and has refereed French Ligue 1 matches since 2019.
The 2019 Women’s World Cup final was won by the United States
Frappart, who started playing soccer at age 10, oversaw his first Europa League game in October when Leicester City hosted Zorya Luhansk and says refereeing at the men’s World Cup in 2022 would be an “advantage.”
His presence in these high-profile games is sure to inspire young women who are looking to follow in his footsteps and Frappart says this would be “a great pleasure.”
“I know I am a role model,” added Frappart.
“Young women are watching television, so I know that if I’m here in the field they can see that it is possible. This is the first thing that will help some young women to start refereeing.
“I know I have a role in that, but I’m not putting too much pressure on women because they will continue on their own and decide if they want to be referees or not.”
‘VAR is good for football’
Like all referees, Frappart has had to adapt to the arrival of the video assistant referee (VAR).
The technology has been the source of much debate since its introduction, with fans and players alike complaining about the controversial decisions made following a VAR intervention.
But Frappart describes it as “a very good help”, adding: “We keep refereeing as before. We make the decision on the pitch and then it’s good to have help in case we make big mistakes.
“I think it’s good for football.”
Source: bbc.com
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