Paris – The upcoming men’s World Cup will be the first to feature female referees, with three women preparing to make history in Qatar while hope the spotlight remains on their work and not their gender.
Stephanie Frappart of France, Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda, and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan were among the 36 referees picked by FIFA, and three more women will travel to Qatar as assistant referees.
The three referees, as well as assistants Neuza Back of Brazil, Karen Diaz Medina of Mexico, and Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States, will travel to Qatar having already proven themselves in the men’s game.
Upon announcing the appointments, the chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, emphasized that “quality, not gender, is what matters to us.”
After a swift ascension to the top level of officiating in Europe, the selection of the 38-year-old Frappart for the World Cup felt like a natural progression.
She was the first woman to officiate in Ligue 1 in 2019, the same year she officiated the women’s World Cup final in her native France.
Frappart also officiated the 2019 UEFA Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea, the Champions League final in 2020, and the French Cup final from the previous season.
Due of her extensive knowledge, Qatar will not faze her.
“I am extremely moved because I did not anticipate this. There is nothing greater than the World Cup “Frappart stated.
Yamashita, who is two years younger than Frappart, has also risen to the top of the men’s game in Japan, and in 2019 she became the first woman to judge an Asian Champions League match.
She became a fitness coach on a full-time basis early this year, abandoning her former part-time status.
Yamashita told AFP that officiating at the World Cup “is a huge responsibility, but I’m glad to have it,” adding that she “never dreamed” being given such an opportunity.
#Qatar2022 Khalifa International Stadium – an iconic stadium renovated to meet contemporary standards.
— Road to 2022 (18 October 2022) (@roadto2022en)
In fact, she became a referee only after being convinced by a university buddy, who “half dragged” her to officiate her first game.
Mukansanga, 34, was selected for the World Cup after being the first female referee at the men’s Africa Cup of Nations in January of this year.
The Rwandan once aspired to become a professional basketball player, but by the age of 20, she was already a referee in the women’s domestic league in her home country.
However, none of these six pioneers want their gender to be a topic of conversation, nor do they desire attention.
“I will do all in my power to ensure that the beauty of football is highlighted. I have no interest in power or authority “In a recent interview with FIFA.com, Yamashita stated.
In the meantime, Frappart, who is admired in France for her diplomatic manner and tenacity, insisted: “No longer does it matter what gender you are. It depends on your skill.”
Despite this, the fact that these women are breaking new ground in the men’s game at a World Cup taking place in Qatar — a country whose record on women’s rights is sometimes criticized — is not insignificant.
“FIFA and the governing bodies are sending a strong statement by having female referees in these nations,” Frappart said, adding that she aspires to serve as a role model for the next generation of female officials.
“I am not a feminist spokeswoman, but perhaps this can help advance the cause.”
AFP
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