Stéphanie Frappart, the trailblazing French referee, has moved beyond her groundbreaking role on the soccer field to advocate for greater participation of women in the refereeing profession. With over ten years of experience refereeing major men's games, including Ligue 1 and the men's World Cup, Frappart is working diligently to counteract the gender imbalance pervasive within the sport.
Frappart made history as the first woman to officiate a men’s Ligue 1 match and later became the first female referee at the men’s World Cup during the 2022 tournament held in Qatar. Now, at age 41, she is leveraging her experience and prominence to establish initiatives aimed at encouraging more women to take up refereeing and to fight against the sexism and stereotypes faced by women within various sports.
Partnering with France’s national postal service, La Poste, Frappart has taken on the role of spokesperson for the recently formed committee named “Women and Refereeing.” This committee, which collaborates with multiple sporting federations such as soccer, rugby, handball, and basketball, has the ambitious goal of improving female representation among match officials, aiming to reverse the current 80-20 split favoring male referees.
Reflecting on the changes needed, Frappart expressed to The Associated Press, "It starts with a change in mentality. Football is played more by men and maybe in handball it’s equal. So to begin with, you have to increase the numbers of women playing football, which in turn increases the numbers of referees." This mantra speaks to her belief in grassroots efforts as the first step toward enhancing female visibility and leadership roles within sports.
According to Frappart, there has been notable progress, with statistics indicating a 14% increase in the number of female referees compared to the previous season, with early indicators this season showing another 5% uptick. The French soccer federation has expressed commitment to fostering female leadership not only on the field but within its governance structures as well.
Nonetheless, Frappart acknowledges the main obstacles faced by aspiring female referees remain rooted deeply in cultural attitudes. She noted, "We remain confronted by certain stereotypes which are difficult to get beyond... something still anchored in certain cultures and mentalities." For her, communication is key to changing perceptions; more visibility of women’s soccer and sports should be emphasized through media showcase.
Despite her tough encounters, Frappart has primarily faced negative comments from spectators rather than players and coaches. "Not from players and coaches, but from people in the stands," she remarked when reflecting on her tenure. Such experiences highlight the harsh realities of sexism within sports, reinforcing the need for initiatives like the one she champions.
Another landmark moment came recently when Frappart led the first all-female officiated Ligue 1 match alongside lineswomen Manuela Nicolosi and Élodie Coppola, marking not only her personal success but symbolizing hope for broader acceptance and recognition of women referees.
Frappart's achievements parallel the growing acknowledgment of women’s sports, which has seen significant changes, including recently famous transfers like U.S. defender Naomi Girma's million-dollar move from San Diego Wave to Chelsea FC. While this transfer might pale compared to the record set by men’s player Neymar, Frappart emphasizes the importance of these developments. She stated, "You shouldn’t compare what happens in women’s soccer and men’s soccer... what I would say is good... it’s good to see transfers like these starting to happen."
This conveyed optimism is part of Frappart’s vision of women's sports progressing. With moves such as Girma’s, she recognizes the evolution from amateur to professional levels within women’s soccer, emphasizing the need to keep pushing for advancements and visibility.
Frappart’s advocacy extends beyond the pitch; it signifies a wider cultural shift toward gender equality in sports. By establishing the framework for increased female representation among referees, she lays foundational work for generational change, giving future female referees the inspiration they need. Her trailblazing work aims to create pathways for women to follow, encouraging them to take their place as leaders and decision-makers on and off the field.
With the sports world watching, the initiatives sparked by Frappart’s advocacy could very well see the rise of women referees gaining the recognition and respect they deserve, not just within soccer but across all sports. Her work embodies hope, perseverance, and the promise of change—a legacy aimed at equality, visibility, and empowerment for future generations of female referees.