LONDON (Reuters) - Stephanie Frappart said she will prove that women's referees are no less than men when she becomes the first woman to run the UEFA Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea on Wednesday.
Frappart, 35, will be helped by French compatriot Manuela Nicolosi and Irish Mitchell O'Neill.
The trio worked together in big games where they took over the final of the Women's World Cup in France, but they will undoubtedly be in the spotlight in Istanbul.
Asked about her fear of "double criticism" in the event of any mistakes, Frappart said it was time for women's arbitration to show that it was as good as that of men.
"We have to prove ourselves technically and physically that we are like men," Frappart told a news conference. Don't be afraid of (making wrong decisions). "We are ready."
Frappart, who in April also became the first woman to play a Ligue 1 match, denied that it was harder to run a men's match. "I think there are a lot of differences but football is one," she said. "It's the same rules so I will do as I do in a women's match."
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said he was happy to be part of this important moment in the game's history. "I think the game has gone a long way in a number of ways, including the World Cup for women that we followed this summer and the respect for the game and the number of people who are watching and interested in the game."
"I think we have been moving very slowly in this direction and now we are trying to make strides and there is still a long way to go but in terms of tomorrow I think it is an important moment." "This is a historic moment and it is an additional step in the right direction."
The UEFA Super Cup is held annually between Champions League and European Champions. Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final last season while Chelsea beat Arsenal in the Europa League final.