KEIR RADNEDGE in PARIS: France is following Germany’s example in appointing a woman to referee in the men’s top division next season.

Stéphanie Frappart has been promoted for the 2019-20 season by the French federation’s executive committee. This follows the appointment of the Hannover police officer Bibiana Steinhaus to the German Bundesliga in 2017.

Frappart, 35, has been a FIFA referee since 2011. In 2014 she became the first woman to referee in men’s Ligue 2 and, a year later, officiated at the Women’s World Cup in Canada. She refereed eventual winners Holland’s 3-0 defeat of England in the semi-finals of Women’s Euro 2017.

Referees’ commission president Eric Borghini said: “I congratulate Stephanie Frappart his appointment in Ligue 1. Since arriving in Ligue 2 in 2014, she has made steady progression and promotion is the reward for that work. Stephanie will prove up to the hopes placed in her.”

Frappart: “I am proud and honored by this appointment, it is a real pleasure, the reward of years of hard work and sacrifice. I hope my career will encourage young girls and women to become involved in refereeing.”

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