Having women referees at the World Cup sends a positive message about women’s rights in Qatar, says Stephanie Frappart.
The 38-year-old Frenchwoman will be the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup in Thursday’s group stage between Costa Rica and Germany.
Frappart will be joined by assistant referees Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina at Al Bayt Stadium in an all-female on-court refereeing team.
She is one of three official women selected to take part in the tournament, the first time this has happened in a men’s World Cup.
Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan are the other two female referees to be chosen.
“We know there are challenges there for women,” Frappart said.
“But I think and hope that this World Cup will help them.
“I have always been welcomed [in Qatar], so there is no problem. I’m not afraid to go, but I hope this World Cup will help them in the future.”
The Gulf state, which follows strict Muslim laws, has been widely criticized for its ban on same-sex relations and its treatment of migrant workers.
Human rights organization Amnesty International said women and LGBTQ+ people “continue to face discrimination in law and in practice”.
England women’s captain Leah Williamson said she had “no interest” in watching the tournament and teammate Beth Mead said it was “disappointing” that the World Cup was being held in Qatar.
However, Frappart said she couldn’t turn down the opportunity to officiate at a men’s World Cup.
“When you are selected for the World Cup, how can we say that we will not go?” adds Frappart.
“The Men’s World Cup is the most important competition in the world, not just in football.”
A total of 36 referees are selected for the 2022 World Cup.
Frappart was the first female referee to officiate a Ligue 1 match in 2019 and then, in 2020, a men’s Champions League match.
She was also the first woman to referee the Coupe de France final this summer and also innovated by officiating at the men’s Euro 2020.
Regarding the tournament, she said: “There is always pressure in matches. And when you are a woman there is more pressure because it is always new.
“We know the pressure. But I think we won’t change ourselves – be calm, focused, focused. And don’t think about the media and everything and focus on the pitch.”
Frappart knows from experience that she and her other female colleagues are well equipped to deal with the pressures.
“We know there are a lot of expectations, we know every game is more important, but we also have experience in our competition,” she added.
“I have played a lot of games with great importance, so with all this experience we will be ready for the games.”
