• Referee Stephanie Frappart of France gestures as she speaks to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. AP Photo
    Referee Stephanie Frappart of France gestures as she speaks to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. AP Photo
  • Stephanie Frappart and assistant referee Manuela Nicolosi arrive for the UEFA Super Cup. AFP
    Stephanie Frappart and assistant referee Manuela Nicolosi arrive for the UEFA Super Cup. AFP
  • Referee Stephanie Frappart shows a yellow card to Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta. AP Photo
    Referee Stephanie Frappart shows a yellow card to Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta. AP Photo
  • Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (bottom) reacts in front of French referee Stephanie Frappart. AFP
    Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (bottom) reacts in front of French referee Stephanie Frappart. AFP
  • Referee Stephanie Frappart of France gives a yellow card to Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, left. AP Photo
    Referee Stephanie Frappart of France gives a yellow card to Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, left. AP Photo
  • Jordan Henderson of Liverpool argues with referee Stephanie Frappart after a penalty was awarded to Chelsea. Getty Images
    Jordan Henderson of Liverpool argues with referee Stephanie Frappart after a penalty was awarded to Chelsea. Getty Images
  • Referee Stephanie Frappart as Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk reacts after she awarded a penalty to Chelsea. Reuters
    Referee Stephanie Frappart as Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk reacts after she awarded a penalty to Chelsea. Reuters
  • Stephanie Frappart with Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga and Liverpool's Adrian before the penalty shootout. Reuters
    Stephanie Frappart with Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga and Liverpool's Adrian before the penalty shootout. Reuters
  • Match referee Stephanie Frappart (centre right), assistants Manuela Nicolosi (left) and Michelle O'Neill (right) with fourth official Cuneyt Cakir during the UEFA Super Cup Final at Besiktas Park, Istanbul. PA Wire
    Match referee Stephanie Frappart (centre right), assistants Manuela Nicolosi (left) and Michelle O'Neill (right) with fourth official Cuneyt Cakir during the UEFA Super Cup Final at Besiktas Park, Istanbul. PA Wire
  • French referee Stephanie Frappart speaks with Chelsea's players during the UEFA Super Cup. AFP
    French referee Stephanie Frappart speaks with Chelsea's players during the UEFA Super Cup. AFP
  • Stephanie Frappart speaks with Chelsea's Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic. AFP
    Stephanie Frappart speaks with Chelsea's Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic. AFP
  • Stephanie Frappart is congratulated after the UEFA Super Cup. AFP
    Stephanie Frappart is congratulated after the UEFA Super Cup. AFP
  • Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, match referee Stephanie Frappart, Chelsea's N'Golo Kante and Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic in action. PA Wire
    Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, match referee Stephanie Frappart, Chelsea's N'Golo Kante and Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic in action. PA Wire
  • Stephanie Frappart smiles next to assistant referee Manuela Nicolosi. AFP
    Stephanie Frappart smiles next to assistant referee Manuela Nicolosi. AFP

Jurgen Klopp leads widespread praise for first female Uefa Super Cup referee Stephanie Frappart


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

The all-female team of officials for the Uefa Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul has been widely praised for their performance.

Stephanie Frappart, from France, became the first female referee to take charge of a major European men's match, along with assistants Manuela Nicolosi from Italy and Ireland's Michelle O'Neill.

Frappart, who had previously taken charge of the Women's World Cup final and men's fixtures in France, saw a dramatic match go to extra-time and penalties as Liverpool finished triumphant.

But aside from another trophy for the European champions, there was plenty of attention on the decision-making of Frappart and her team.

Football fans took to social media to congratulate the officials, and Frappart in particular for her handling of the occasion.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also spoke highly of Frappart and her assistants.

He said: "I spoke to the ref team after the game that if we would have played like they whistled, then we would have won 6-0. They played a brilliant game. I also said I wasn't happy with the penalty decision as I'm still not sure but it's not important anymore.

"They were good, they were really good. There was pressure on them like hell. It was an historic moment and they stayed themselves, stayed calm and did what they had to do in a very difficult and intense game."

Frappart awarded her first yellow card on 79 minutes when Cesar Azpilicueta fouled Sadio Mane. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson were also booked. There was little sign of dissent from either team.

VAR played its part in the match when a Christian Pulisic goal was correctly ruled out for offside. A VAR check for Mane's second half strike also showed the officials got it right as teammate Roberto Firmino was onside when he set the Senegalese up.

Then, Chelsea's Mason Mount had a goal disallowed for offiside - and VAR proved it was the correct decision again.

The one point of contention was the penalty decision awarded to Chelsea in extra time when Tammy Abraham tumbled over the arms of keeper Adrian. Replays showed contact was minimal.

Adrian then moved slightly off the goal-line as Jorginho successfully took the kick, with the rules dictating that it should have been retaken.