Referee Stephanie Frappart makes historic World Cup debut in Germany vs Costa Rica
- Frappart first female to ref men's World Cup game
- Flick backed her with "100 per cent trust"
- Germany must win to qualify for last 16
WHAT HAPPENED? Frappart, who was the fourth official in Mexico’s goalless draw against Poland, leads an all-female team for Germany's must-win match on Thursday, alongside assistant referees Neuza Back (Brazil) and Karen Díaz Medina (Mexico). Germany coach Hansi Flick backed the history-making referee, who he believes has been selected on merit.
WHAT THEY SAID: “I have 100% trust in the referee,” he said in his press conference. “She deserves it because of her performances. I hope she’s looking forward to the game as much as we are. We all hope we’ll see a good performance tomorrow.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: It will be a special moment for Frappart and her assistants, with the 38-year-old making football history. Indeed, she previously became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup qualifier in 2021, and also took charge of her first men's Champions League match in December 2020.
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WHAT NEXT FOR FRAPPART? The French referee will wait to see if she's called upon to take charge of any matches in the knockout stages, with the referee teams having not yet been decided for the last 16 and beyond.