Stéphanie Frappart becomes first female referee in France’s top football league
ADVERTISEMENTStephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a French Ligue 1 football match when Amiens hosted Strasbourg on Sunday (April 28).
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced the news in [a statement](the French Football Federation (FFF) on Tuesday: "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."
Sunday's match ended 0-0 but Frappart was kept busy, booking four players in all, three of whom were from Strasbourg.
Strasbourg manager Thierry Laurey said she did a good job and had no issues with the 35-year-old's officiating.
Frappart was the first woman to oversee a Ligue 2 (second-tier) match. She will also be the only referee from France who will be officiating at the Women's World Cup to be held there this June.
"Reaching Ligue 1, a bit like Ligue 2, I see it as an acknowledgment of my competence," Frappart told AFP news agency.
"I don't want to be given top billing or put in Ligue 1 just because I am a woman," she continued.
Frappart follows in the footsteps of Germany's Bibiana Steinhaus, who became the first woman to officiate a Bundesliga match in 2017 when Hertha Berlin drew 1-1 with Werder Bremen.
Frappart's appointment drew praise on Twitter, both by football fans and feminists.
"We hope that many other women will improve and develop in their countries, reaching the top. Good Luck!" tweeted Law 5, a blog dedicated to football referees.
Other social media users hailed Frappart as a "history-maker".
The FFF said the appointment for Sunday's match followed a request from FIFA to help referees involved in the World Cup "prepare in the best conditions".
WATCH: Euronews sports editor Andy Robini discuss why in this case Stephanie had not already refereed any other matches - click on player above