First woman central referee in the French second division (2014) in the men's Ligue 1 (2019), first woman to lead the European Supercup in August 2019, first woman to officiate in the Champions League in December 2020, first to referee at one Euro in 2021...

And here is now the World Cup, in Qatar.

"A World Cup is the pinnacle, the biggest competition in the world," she explained at the end of September during a press briefing in Clairefontaine, after her appointment for the trip to Qatar.

Rather than a personal accomplishment, she preferred to see in it "the enhancement of French refereeing. French refereeing is recognized by UEFA and Fifa, it's good for French refereeing and football."

Clément Turpin, the other French referee in Doha to have held the whistle during the first round of the World Cup, praises his experience.

"She has done dozens of international competitions. She knows perfectly well how to manage an intercontinental event".

Before getting there, Stéphanie Frappart, 38, crossed all the levels with perfect regularity, after starting arbitration in 1996.

"At first it was out of passion. I didn't have Ligue 1 or any competition in my sights," she explains.

French referee Stéphanie Frappart line judge during the World Cup-2022 match Mexico - Poland on November 22, 2022 in Doha Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV AFP / Archives

Referee since the age of 13

Former player of AS Herblay in the Paris region, she has been refereeing since she was 13 years old.

She scoured the stadiums of the French second division for five seasons before being promoted in the summer of 2019 to Ligue 1, which no other main referee had managed to do until then.

Stéphanie Frappart is then quickly unanimous, attracting the praise of the actors of the game, whether they are on the ground or on the bench.

"She has a lot of diplomacy", had confided in 2019 Christophe Galtier then coach of Lille.

"All she has to do is give a look, a smile, a gesture... and it's over."

"She has a small voice but she has charisma, personality," described midfielder Pierre Bouby, who had rubbed shoulders with her in Ligue 2 with Orléans.

"She uses the right words, she explains, she is a diplomat and we can discuss with her."

His career has since taken off, moving from France to Europe.

During Juventus Turin-Dynamo kyiv (3-0) in December 2020, she became the first woman to officiate as the main referee of a Champions League match, and her performance that evening, under control, had been applauded by the press.

French referee Stéphanie Frappart during the men's Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Lille on February 12, 2022 at the Mosson stadium in Montpellier Sylvain THOMAS AFP / Archives

Then it will be the Euro and finally the World Cup.

In between, she will referee another historic match.

Last March, she refereed the Barcelona-Real Madrid women's match in front of 91,000 spectators massed in the Camp Nou, a historic record at the time.

"Because they are competent"

Obviously questions about being a woman in the midst of men are regularly asked.

His answers are like his way of arbitrating, firm and diplomatic.

"I have always campaigned for us to be taken into account for our skills and not necessarily for our gender. If the girls have qualities, they must also be given the opportunity to achieve them", adds -she.

"Since 2019, we have taken a big step forward. Now, it is no longer a surprise to see women refereeing men, regardless of the continent or the country. So it is in line with what s 'is done before and a little more highlighted,' she explained in September.

Clément Turpin agrees.

"Today they are selected not because they are women but because they are competent".

"It's the first time, but it's part of a path taken for a while," he adds, refusing to give him advice.

The native of Val-d'Oise is not worried about coming to Qatar either, despite the criticism that has surrounded this country since its designation.

"It's also a strong sign from the authorities to put women in this country. I'm not a feminist spokesperson, but if that can make things happen... I know that we often play a role, especially in the sport", she explains, rejoicing to have "always been well received" in Qatar.

© 2022 AFP