World Cup: 3 Referees to Make History in Germany, Costa Rica Clash

World Cup Referees
A collage image of Stéphanie Frappart (left), Neuza Back (centre) and Karen Diaz (right). 
PHOTO:
Courtesy
FILE

Three referees are set to make history during the final Group E match between Costa Rica and Germany on Thursday, November 1. 

The match will be played at the Al Bayt Stadium with Stephannie Frappart becoming the first woman in the history of the World Cup to referee a finals match in the men's tournament. 

The match will be officiated by an all-female refereeing trio for the first time at a men's FIFA World Cup.

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The French Association Football referee will be joined by assistants Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Diaz from Mexico. 

Frappart has made a mark in football on other different occasions as she was also the first woman to referee a Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League game. 

The 38-year-old referee noted she is ready for her first World Cup as the main match official. 

The French official became the first female referee at the tournament when she took charge of the match between Poland and Mexico as the fourth official on Tuesday, November 22. 

"The men's World Cup is the most important sporting competition in the world. I was the first referee in France and in Europe, so I know how to deal with it," Frappart noted. 

Ahead of the World Cup, the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina noted that the three female referees were chosen for their ability to officiate. 

The three women referees are part of the 36 officials selected to take charge of the 64 games at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

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