FIFA named three female referees to the World Cup squad, and today at the meeting between Costa Rica and Germany, France's Stéphanie Frappart will be the first woman to blow the whistle.

Today, something is happening in Qatar that has never been seen before in the 92-year history of the World Cup. It could also be said that football has reached another milestone: the match between Costa Rica and Germany in Group E will be refereed by a woman. FIFA entrusted this important match to Stéphanie Frappart of France, and her assistants will also be women, with Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Díaz Medina from Mexico playing the role of assistants.

During his career, Frappart has led many men's meetings and was also a member of last year's European Championship squad, but he didn't get a match then. He has been working at the forefront of his country since 2019. For the first time, FIFA referees have been given a seat at a women's World Cup. Alongside Frappart, Rwandan Salima Mukansanga and Japanese Josimi Yamasita are the head referees, while Back and Díaz Medina are accompanied by another coast marker, the American Kathryn Nesbitt.

"They are not here because they are women, but because they are FIFA referees and they are ready for every match," said Pierluigi Collina, head of the FIFA Referees Committee, before the tournament.

2022 Plus: Although Pierluigi Collina tried to take the edge off things, this milestone still means something. It is not inconceivable that the referees of boxing, wrestling, or other similarly "male" sports will soon be women. In fact, you may soon see mixed teams both on the field and in the rings. Just don't expect the same physical performance from the weaker sex as from men, and obviously their performance will also reflect their femininity, and that's right.

And finally, the mentality of the fans should also change. Yes, men should bring beer to their partners (whether men or women?) in front of the TV, if they want to watch a game and in the meantime arrange the dinner nicely and quietly and draw the rainbow curtains!

But isn't it possible that girls are better at other things than boys? It would not be possible, as the poet writes, "for us men to remain men and women to be women, free, kind..."

Let me have a little doubt before Stéphanie Frappart blows the whistle!

Source: Hungarian Nation

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