EX TV GH People Matter
By: Nutifafa Bequine
The clock is winding down, it is no more years, no more months nor weeks but some few hours from the World biggest football tournament, Qatar 2022 men’s FIFA World Cup. Expectations are high, momentums are building up, with most of the nations participating arriving with their fans, hoping to return with the coveted trophy. For others, it is another opportunity to enjoy the entertainment that comes with it whiles some, it is a folklore that won’t be erased in the history of the tournament.
History will be made in this year’s World Cup as three (3) female referees were appointed out of 36 referees and three female assistant referees out of 69 appointed to handle matches for the first time in the history of the tournament.
Who are these referees and what do they bring to the show?
Stephanie Frappart
Stephanie is a French FIFA listed referee from the year 2009. The French referee is one of the most noted experience female referees to have engaged in the trade as she officiate many high-profile matches.
The 38 year old has in 2022 officiated the coupe de France final. She was also the first female referee featured in Champions league match in 2020.
Stephanie took charge of affairs in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, 2019 and same year was engaged in UEFA Super Cup final.
The French trailblazer was adjudged International Federation of Football History & Statistics’ (IFFHS) world best woman referee three times on a row from the year 2019. She is expected to bring her experience in officiating on board.
Salima Mukansanga
Salima Mukansanga is arguably the finest African’s female referee and the only African female referee to make the cut into FIFA’s history book in this year’s soccer fiesta. The Rwanda star referee obtained her FIFA badge in the year 2012, and has since been involved in FIFA tournaments. Salima officiated in 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
She became the first African female referee to officiate in 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. She played officiating role at 2020 Olympics games in Tokyo. Salima led the lines at African women’s cup of Nations and CAF women’s champions league as well.
Yamashita Yoshimi
Yamashita Yoshimi is a Japanese referee raising the flag of the Asia continent in the trade of officiating in football tournaments and leagues matches. Born on 20th February, 1986 in Tokyo, she has been listed FIFA referee in the year 2015. Just as Stephanie and Salima, Yamashita also led the lines at 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, and was at Tokyo 2020 Olympic games. She is not new to the male football as she was on record to be the first female referee to officiate both AFC champions league and Japanese League (J1 League). She was named among the three female center referees for the biggest soccer fiesta.
Aside the center referees, three female assistant referees are also part of the 69 assistant referees appointed to do the job in Qatar. They are; Neuza Ines Back (Brazil), Kathryn Nesbitt (USA) and Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine).
The tournament is set to kick off from 20 November, 2022, and ends on 18 December, 2022.
Take a look at all the Groups for the FIFA World Cup 2022:
Group A:
Qatar
Netherlands
Senegal
Ecuador
Group B:
England
USA
Iran
Wales
Group C:
Argentina
Mexico
Poland
Saudi Arabia
Group D:
France
Denmark
Tunisia
Australia
Group E:
Spain
Germany
Japan
Costa Rica
Group F:
Belgium
Croatia
Morocco
Canada
Group G:
Brazil
Switzerland
Serbia
Cameroon
Group H:
Portugal
Uruguay
South Korea
Ghana
