Klopp promises his MUM he will be on best behaviour for ref Stephanie Frappart in Liverpool’s Super Cup clash with Chelsea
JURGEN KLOPP has promised his mum to be on his best behaviour in tonight’s Uefa Super Cup clash.
France’s Stephanie Frappart will be the first woman to take charge of a European final while Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill and Italian Manuela Nicolosi are her assistants.
Asked about Frappart, who has refereed in Ligue 1, Liverpool boss Klopp said: “My answer would be, ‘Finally. I think it is time’.
“I have a lot of experience with female referees in Germany.
“It is a very smart decision to have a women to be the referee in a very important game before millions of people.
“I am pretty sure with all the emotions involved, I will try not to make it more difficult than the game is.
“I will be showing my best face otherwise my mum would be angry. It is the first one so maybe that makes it more special but I hope it is not the last.”
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said: “I am very pleased to be a part of this moment in history — it is very much due.
SPECIAL
“The game has come a long way, in terms of the women’s World Cup, which we all watched; in terms of respect they are getting and the interest. It is a historical moment.”
O’Neill said: “It’s not our first time on the big stage as we were all at the Women’s World Cup final.
“It’s pretty nice that you have young girls, young kids being inspired. We are leading the way and opening the doors of the pathway to these kids coming up. That’s pretty special.”
Frappart, 35, took charge of her first Ligue 1 game in April when Amiens played Strasbourg.
She said: “There is not a lot difference, because football is the same. We train a lot, so we are not afraid because we are always ready for all the games.”
Uefa refs boss Roberto Rosetti said: “They are strong, technically, physically.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
“Just a few days ago Stephanie passed the men’s fitness test with the elite referees. She ran a lot and mentally she is strong.
“This is the main reason. Then I hope she will inspire thousands and thousands of young female referees around the world.”
Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir, a man, is the fourth official. And VAR will be in operation tonight.