Sports Wednesday, August 14, 2019 13 French ref Frappart unfazed, all set to make history in

AFP/Reuters intense focus at ’s Istanbul . Asked if she was afraid of France’s Stephanie Frap- being “double criticised” for part has no concerns about any mistakes made, Frappart the scrutiny she will face in Annual show said it was time for female Wednesday’s UEFA Super referees to show they are as Cup between Liverpool and The Super Cup is an annual good as the men. “We have Chelsea when she becomes match played between the to prove ourselves techni- the first woman to referee a winners of the Champions cally and physically that we major men’s match in Euro- League and the UEFA are the same as the men. We pean competition. Europa League. are not afraid about (wrong “I don’t think so. We have decisions). We are ready,” she to prove physically, techni- told a news conference. cally and tactically that we changed because I am more Ready to referee Frappart, who in April be- are the same as the men. I’m popular now all over the We have to prove physically, came the first female referee in not afraid about that. Nothing world,” she said, insisting France’s Ligue 1, also dismissed changes for me,” Frappart, 35, that refereeing a men’s match technically and tactically that the idea that it was more diffi- said on the eve of the match in is the same for her. “I think we are the same as the men. cult to officiate a men’s game. Istanbul between the reigning there is not a lot of difference, I’m not afraid about that. “I think there is not a lot dif- European champions and the because football is the same.” Nothing changes for me. ference because football is the winners of last season’s Eu- Along with her assistants, same. It’s the same rules so I ropa League. compatriot Manuela Nicolosi Stephanie Frappart will do the same as the wom- Frappart has already been and Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill, en’s game,” she added. a trailblazer for female refer- Frappart also took charge of UEFA main referee Stephanie Frappart of France (left) and UEFA Chief Refereeing Officer Roberto Rosetti The Super Cup is an an- ees. Earlier this year she be- the women’s World Cup final during a press conference ahead of UEFA Super Cup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea at Besiktas we are trying to make strides. nual match played between came the first woman to take between the United States and Park in Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday. (EPA-EFE/UEFA) There is still a long way to go but the winners of the Champi- charge of a match in Ligue 1 the Netherlands last month. in terms of tomorrow (Wednes- ons League and the Europa in her home country. She has Nicolosi and O’Neill will assist pointing Frappart for such a thousands of younger women pleased to be a part of this mo- day) it is a huge moment.” League. Liverpool beat Tot- since been promoted to the her again in Istanbul. high-profile men’s fixture -af referees all over the world,” he ment in history which is very Frappart, 35, Nicolosi and tenham Hotspur in the Cham- French top flight’s pool of ref- Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s ter watching her at the wom- said, a sentiment shared by the much due,” said Lampard. O’Neill have worked together pions League final last season erees on a permanent basis. head of refereeing, said he en’s World Cup. Chelsea boss, . “I think we were very slow at bigger matches but there is while Chelsea defeated Arse- “Of course my life has came up with the idea of ap- “I hope she will inspire “It’s great news, I’m very everywhere on this and now no doubt they will be under nal in the Europa League final. Liverpool seek more silverware as Lampard eyes Super Cup boost

Being hungry Stay greedy. That’s very important – I have no doubt about that, but it’s clear that we have to do that. Liverpool coach Klopp to his Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante during training at the Besiktas Park stadium players ahead of Super Cup in Istanbul on Tuesday. (Reuters)

AFP Lampard confident Istanbul

Jurgen Klopp wants Liver- of Chelsea despite pool to make winning a habit as they head back to Istanbul – the scene of one of Kante question mark the club’s greatest triumphs Liverpool’s and during training at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on Tuesday. (Reuters) – to take on Premier League AFP rivals Chelsea in the UEFA Su- gan their league campaign know how hard that’s going to in just his second com- Istanbul per Cup on Wednesday. with a comfortable 4-1 win be. This is our next opportu- petitive match with the Lon- UEFA Super The club memora- over Norwich City with Mo- nity to do so and it’d be great don club will be an enticing Chelsea coach Frank Lam- bly defeated AC Milan on pen- hamed Salah, if we can take it.” one, although they could be Cup winners pard was set to make a late alties to win the Champions and Divock Origi all scoring. forgiven for coming into this decision on the fitness of League by the Bosphorus back However, that result was Chelsea reeling match with a sense of trepida- ● 2018: Atletico Madrid (ESP) N’Golo Kante for Wednes- in 2005, and now they face somewhat overshadowed by Chelsea secured their place tion after their hammering at day’s UEFA Super Cup clash Chelsea in the Turkish city after the loss of Alisson Becker, in this fixture thanks to their Old Trafford. ● 2017: Real Madrid (ESP) with Liverpool in Istanbul, a becoming European champi- with Klopp confirming the comprehensive victory over It will be interesting to match he is “optimistic” the ons for the sixth time in June. formidable Brazil goalkeeper Arsenal in the Europa League see if Lampard keeps faith ● 2016: Real Madrid (ESP) London club can win. The traditional curtain- will be out for a while with a final, but much has changed with the likes of youngsters ● 2015: Barcelona (ESP) The France midfielder raiser to the European sea- calf injury. since then. and Tammy has been struggling with a son may not be taken entire- “I don’t want to make now Coach Maurizio Sarri and Abraham here. ● 2014: Real Madrid (ESP) knee injury that saw him fly ly seriously by everyone, but (an) exact prognosis on when player have “We know that we can im- home early from the club’s Best fit neither club will turn their he will be back but it will not left, and club legend Lampard prove. We have to face it, take ● 2013: Bayern Munich (GER) pre-season trip to Japan and noses up at the chance of be Wednesday for sure, so now is now in charge, handed the the responsibility and move meant he started on the bench I’ll pick the best team to win lifting more silverware, with then we have to see. It takes a reins at Stamford Bridge de- forward. We have a trophy to ● 2012: Atletico Madrid (ESP) in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at the the game, regardless of age. Liverpool having just ended while, it takes a couple weeks spite just one season’s mana- fight for on Wednesday against ● hands of Manchester United. a seven-year trophy drought for sure, and we have to see,” gerial experience in the second a good team and we have to be 2011: Barcelona (ESP) Kante came on in the Chelsea coach Frank Lampard and Frank Lampard eager to he told the club’s website. tier with Derby County. ready for it,” Cesar Azpilicueta ● 2010: Atletico Madrid (ESP) second half of their Premier kickstart his Chelsea mana- Spaniard Adrian will depu- The prospect of winning a said after Sunday’s defeat. League opener but Lampard re- ing at the weekend, with Lam- gerial career. tise in Alisson’s absence, and ● 2009: Barcelona (ESP) vealed another knock picked up pard prepared to give youth The clubs have already won Klopp is hopeful his team can at Old Trafford has left a ques- a chance after a transfer ban the competition four times be- build on their win over Tot- ● Most overall wins: tion mark over the 28-year- prevented Chelsea from sign- tween them, but nine of the tenham Hotspur in the Cham- old’s presence at the Vodafone ing any new players in the last 10 winners of the Super pions League final in Madrid. 5: Barcelona (ESP), AC Park, home of Besiktas. close season. Cup have come from Spain. “Stay greedy. That’s very Milan (ITA); 4: Real Madrid “The selection of N’Golo “I’ll pick the best team to win Among the other protago- important – I have no doubt (ESP); 3: Liverpool (ENG), Kante on the bench was purely the game, regardless of age. Ma- nists on Wednesday will be about that, but it’s clear that Atletico Madrid (ESP). (afp) because he had an injury in son Mount deserved his chance Stephanie Frappart, with the we have to do that,” Klopp told pre-season. He wasn’t ready for on absolute merit as opposed to French official becoming the UEFA.com when asked how his the game but I’m very aware of age,” Lampard insisted. first woman to referee a ma- side could build on that success. how important he is for us as a “I will have no fears to play jor men’s match in European Reds fans will also be player,” Lampard said. young players, it’s important competition. tempted by the possibility of “He also picked up another at a club like Chelsea that we Frappart will nevertheless a third successive Champions small injury in the game so we do that, but they need to de- be happy to stay out of the League final appearance, back are assessing that with regards serve the chance.” limelight once the match at in Istanbul at the end of the to tomorrow (Wednesday).” Lampard is eager to mark the Vodafone Park, home of campaign. Lampard also confirmed just his second competitive Besiktas, kicks off, with Liver- Equally, they will hope the that Brazilian winger Willian match in charge with a trophy, pool favourites against a Chel- Super Cup can be the prelude and German centre-back An- all the more so after losing this sea side reeling from their 4-0 to their side finally going all tonio Rudiger will start on the match as a Chelsea player in defeat at Manchester United in the way in the Premier League. bench as they continue to re- 2012 and 2013. their Premier League opener. “We don’t want to just stop cover fitness following spells “It means a lot to the club,” at the Champions League, on the sidelines. he said. “I know that first hand Alisson blow that’s all we’ve won as a group Meanwhile, young duo because I lost two: one in poor After losing on penalties to of players,” Andy Robertson (21) and circumstances because we lost Manchester City in the Com- told the club’s website. Fans pose in front of the Besiktas Park stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday, ahead of the Liverpool FC Mason Mount (20) will hope against Atletico Madrid having munity Shield, Liverpool be- “We want more but we vs Chelsea FC UEFA Super Cup final.( EPA-EFE) to keep their places after start- been champions of Europe.”