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Men's Football Stephanie Frappart tasked with officiating Liverpool v Chelsea’s Super Cup clash

STEPHANIE FRAPPART has been appointed as the referee for the European Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea, making her the first woman to officiate a major Uefa men’s showpiece event.

Uefa announced Frappart’s appointment this morning, adding that the Frenchwoman will lead a team of predominantly female officials, with Manuela Nicolosi of France and Michelle O’Neal from the Republic of Ireland serving as assistant referees.

The 35-year-old Frappart was also in charge at the Women’s World Cup Final between the United States and the Netherlands.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “I have said on many occasions that the potential for women’s football has no limits.

“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.”

Uefa chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti added that Frappart “fully deserves” her chance on this stage and said he hopes “this match will provide her with yet more experience as she enters the prime of her refereeing career.”

The three women on the pitch at Besiktas Park will be backed by an all-male supporting cast, with Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir acting as fourth official and Frenchman Clement Turpin leading the VAR unit.

It is not the first time a woman has refereed a men’s Uefa competition match. Switzerland’s Nicole Petignat officiated three Uefa Cup qualifying-round matches between 2004 and 2009.

The Super Cup is the traditional curtain-raiser to the season, between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League. This year it will take place at the Besiktas Park in Istanbul on August 14.

Frappart also became the first female referee to officiate a French league match in April. She has been promoted to the pool of French top-flight referees on a permanent basis for the upcoming season.

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