French Ligue 1 To Have First Female Referee This Weekend

By Max Wise

History will be made in the French Ligue 1 this weekend when female referee Stephanie Frappart takes charge of the men’s top flight game between Amiens and Strasbourg.

The French Football Federation’s decision means that Frappart will become the first woman to referee in the French Ligue 1.

The 35-year-old also made history in 2014 when she became the first female referee to officiate in the French Ligue 2.

Frappart, who took charge of the Women’s U-20 World-Cup final last year, has also been selected to referee in the upcoming Women’s World Cup to be hosted in France.

"Stephanie Frappart, selected by FIFA for the Women's World Cup in France, has been appointed by the FFF Refereeing Direction for the match on the 34th day of Ligue 1 between Amiens SC and RC Strasbourg," the French Football Federation said in a statement.

"FIFA has invited the federations with a chosen referee for the World Women's Cup, to prepare them under the best conditions for this high-level competition. Their preparation, technical, athletic, will also be focused on the use of video assistance, which will be in function at this World Cup."

Frappart will become only the second woman to take charge of a men’s game in the top five European leagues after Germany’s Bibiana Steinhaus officiated the Bundesliga game between Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen in September 2017.