French referee Frappart to be first woman to officiate men's UEFA match

Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart was appointed by UEFA on Friday as the referee of the UEFA Super Cup later this month, becoming the first woman to take charge of a major UEFA men's competition event.

The UEFA Super Cup, seen as a curtain raiser for every season, will be played between Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul on August 14.

The 35-year-old Frappart refereed the FIFA Women's World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in July.

She had already made history domestically this April as she became the first female referee to officiate a men's Ligue 1 match between Amiens and Strasbourg.

Having been promoted to join the pool of Ligue 1 referees on a permanent basis, she will have more exposure for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

"I have said on many occasions that the potential for women's football has no limits," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

As in the Women's World Cup final, assistant referees appointed for the UEFA Super Cup will be Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O'Neal.

"As an organisation, we place the utmost importance on the development of women's football in all areas.

"I hope the skill and devotion that Stephanie has shown throughout her career to reach this level will provide inspiration to millions of girls and women around Europe and show them there should be no barriers in order to reach one's dream," added Ceferin.

UEFA chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti thought that Frappart "fully deserves" the opportunity to oversee such a high-profile match.

"She has the ability to officiate on the biggest stage, as she proved at this year's Women's World Cup final," Rosetti pointed out.

Nicole Petignat was the first female referee assigned to a men's UEFA competition match, refereeing three UEFA Cup qualifiers between 2004 and 2009.

UEFA also announced that Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used in the Super Cup, with Clement Turpin from France as the VAR official.