There will be no German referee at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20). This emerges from the list of 33 nominated referees published by the world association FIFA on Monday.
Only assistant Katrin Rafalski (Baunatal) and video referee Marco Fritz (Korb) will represent the German Football Association (DFB). At the World Cup finals in France four years ago, there were two German referees in Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb and Riem Hussein. As the most prominent referee, Stephanie Frappart will officiate World Cup games in the summer. The French made history at the recent Men’s World Cup in Qatar. She was the first woman to referee a match at a men’s finals. Frappart was in action in the group stage match between Germany and Costa Rica (4:2).
Six women among the 19 video referees
“As always, quality was the top priority. The match officials called up are the best in the world,” said FIFA chief referee Pierluigi Collina: “We expect consistent and intensive preparation for the tournament from the match officials who have been called up.”
In addition to the 33 female referees and 55 assistants, 19 video referees were appointed, including six women. “FIFA has placed great emphasis on promoting female VARs in preparation for the Women’s World Cup. We are very pleased with the progress”Collina said: “Despite the considerable progress, we have not yet reached our goal.”
