Qatar: Germany vs. Costa Rica FIFA World Cup match held on December 2nd at Qatar stadium saw a historical moment as the all-female team took to the pitch as referees. In FIFA’s history, it took 92 years to bring a woman referee to monitor a men’s World Cup.
Stephanie Frappart of France, with the assistance of Karen Diaz of Mexico and Neuza Back of Brazil, led the all-female refereeing crew on the field. Breaking records and making history is nothing new for Frappart, who qualified as a FIFA referee in 2009 and managed Mexico vs. Poland match last week to become the first woman to oversee a men’s World Cup game.
Stephanie Frappart, Neuza Back and Karen Diaz made history at #Qatar2022 ? pic.twitter.com/Fk5I4odyhp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
Frappart handled the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea in 2009, making history as the first woman to supervise a significant men’s European game.
“The men’s World Cup is the most important sporting competition in the world. I was the first referee in France and Europe, so I know how to deal with it,” Frappart stated in a statement.
All eyes were on the 38-year-old when she authorized the all-female referee panel to oversee Germany vs. Costa Rica game. Frappart has an illustrious career and began officiating youth games at the age of 13 in Herblay-sur-Seine, north-west of Paris, where she grew up.
The fourth referee, an American guy, was on duty as the offside video assistance referee while the three women took control of the field for Germany vs. Costa Rica game. The Frenchwoman has bagged the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), the World’s Best Woman Referee award, three times.
Despite a decisive victory over Costa Rica recently Germany was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2022. The football team suffered a shock loss of 2-1 to Japan in the opening game, leaving them with a mountain to climb in order to advance to the Qatari knockout stage. Following a thrilling 4-2 victory against Costa Rica and a tight 1-1 draw with Spain, the Germans’ fate was sealed on Thursday when Sergio Busquets’ squad’s team fell to the Japanese.