Saudi Arabia's first&nbsp;female&nbsp;international&nbsp;referee&nbsp;was appointed by&nbsp;FIFA&nbsp;on Thursday, less than a year after the conservative kingdom's national women's team made its debut. Anoud Al-Asmari's international badge is the latest in a series of steps in football by the oil-rich Saudis, who have lured 37-year-old great Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League and are mulling a World Cup co-hosting bid.

"I am happy to be the first Saudi&nbsp;female&nbsp;referee&nbsp;to receive the international badge in the history of Saudi sports," Asmari, one of eight Saudis on the international panel announced by the world body, told AFP. Asked how she would feel about officiating a men's game, Asmari, 34, said she wouldn't give it any thought until it was approved by the Saudi FA. Despite Saudi Arabia's renowned conservatism, opportunities have started to open up in women's sport, including a women's football league that started in November 2021.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/buffalo-bills-damar-hamlin-has-been-able-to-awaken-and-communicate-reveal-doctors-549912">Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin has been able to awaken and communicate, reveal doctors</a>

The first Saudi women's national team, coached by German veteran Monica Stapp, beat the Seychelles 2-0 in their maiden official match last February. Saudi Arabia, whose neighbour Qatar hosted the World Cup in November and December, has applied to hold the Women's Asian Cup in 2026 and is the sole bidder for the men's version in 2027. It is also considering a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup alongside Egypt and Greece.

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Saudi Arabia's first female international referee was appointed by FIFA on Thursday, less than a year after the conservative kingdom's national women's team made its debut.

Saudi Arabia's first female international referee was appointed by FIFA on Thursday, less than a year after the conservative kingdom's national women's team made its debut. Anoud Al-Asmari's international badge is the latest in a series of steps in football by the oil-rich Saudis, who have lured 37-year-old great Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League and are mulling a World Cup co-hosting bid. "I am happy to be the first Saudi female referee to receive the international badge in the history of Saudi sports," Asmari, one of eight Saudis on the international panel announced by the world body, told AFP. Asked how she would feel about officiating a men's game, Asmari, 34, said she wouldn't give it any thought until it was approved by the Saudi FA. Despite Saudi Arabia's renowned conservatism, opportunities have started to open up in women's sport, including a women's football league that started in November 2021. Also read: Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin has been able to awaken and communicate, reveal doctors The first Saudi women's national team, coached by German veteran Monica Stapp, beat the Seychelles 2-0 in their maiden official match last February. Saudi Arabia, whose neighbour Qatar hosted the World Cup in November and December, has applied to hold the Women's Asian Cup in 2026 and is the sole bidder for the men's version in 2027. It is also considering a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup alongside Egypt and Greece. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Anoud Al-Asmari creates history, becomes first Saudi woman referee to receive FIFA badge

French Referee Stephanie Frappart created history on Saturday became the first female referee to officiate a men's World Cup qualifier during the Netherlands' 2-0 win over Latvia in Amsterdam.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-need-to-be-positive-and-fight-sadio-mane-on-liverpools-form-373642" hreflang="en">'We need to be positive and fight': Sadio Mane on Liverpool's form</a>

Netherlands' Steven Berghuis and Luuk de Jong found the back of the net giving hope to their team for 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying after a disappointing start as they faced a shocking 4-2 loss to Turkey in their opening match.

However, this is not the first time Fappart created history. In December, she became the female official to take charge of a men's Champions League match. The contest was held between Juventus and &nbsp;Dynamo Kyiv in Turin.&nbsp;

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She also refereed the Super Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea in 2019, and the women's World Cup final between the U.S. and the Netherlands the same year.

(Inputs from Reuters)

French Referee Stephanie Frappart created history on Saturday became the first female referee to officiate a men's World Cup qualifier during the Netherlands' 2-0 win over Latvia in Amsterdam.

French Referee Stephanie Frappart created history on Saturday became the first female referee to officiate a men's World Cup qualifier during the Netherlands' 2-0 win over Latvia in Amsterdam. ALSO READ: 'We need to be positive and fight': Sadio Mane on Liverpool's form Netherlands' Steven Berghuis and Luuk de Jong found the back of the net giving hope to their team for 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying after a disappointing start as they faced a shocking 4-2 loss to Turkey in their opening match. However, this is not the first time Fappart created history. In December, she became the female official to take charge of a men's Champions League match. The contest was held between Juventus and Dynamo Kyiv in Turin. ALSO READ: We switched off, Jota says after Ronaldo denied winner She also refereed the Super Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea in 2019, and the women's World Cup final between the U.S. and the Netherlands the same year. (Inputs from Reuters)

Stephanie Frappart becomes first woman to referee men's World Cup qualifier

Stephanie&nbsp;Frappart&nbsp;will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul on August 14, becoming the first woman to referee a major men's match in European competition.

France's&nbsp;Frappart, 35, refereed the Women's World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in July, and last season became the first female to officiate a Ligue 1 match.

She took charge of April's game between Amiens and Strasbourg and has since been promoted to the French top flight's pool of referees on a permanent basis for the upcoming campaign.

"I have said on many occasions that the potential for women's football has no limits and I am delighted that Stephanie&nbsp;Frappart&nbsp;has been appointed to officiate at this year's UEFA Super Cup along with assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O'Neal," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

"As an organisation, we place the utmost importance on the development of women's football in all areas.&nbsp;

"I hope the skill and devotion that Stephanie has shown throughout her career to reach this level will provide inspiration to millions of girls and women around Europe and show them there should be no barriers in order to reach one's dream."

Germany's Bibiana Steinhaus became the first female referee in one of the top European leagues when she took charge of a Bundesliga match between Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen in September 2017.

Nicole Petignat was the first female referee assigned to a men's match in UEFA competition, overseeing three qualifiers in the UEFA Cup between 2004 and 2009.

Stephanie Frappart will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul on August 14, becoming the first woman to referee a major men's match in European competition.

Stephanie Frappart will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul on August 14, becoming the first woman to referee a major men's match in European competition. France's Frappart, 35, refereed the Women's World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in July, and last season became the first female to officiate a Ligue 1 match. She took charge of April's game between Amiens and Strasbourg and has since been promoted to the French top flight's pool of referees on a permanent basis for the upcoming campaign. "I have said on many occasions that the potential for women's football has no limits and I am delighted that Stephanie Frappart has been appointed to officiate at this year's UEFA Super Cup along with assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O'Neal," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. "As an organisation, we place the utmost importance on the development of women's football in all areas. "I hope the skill and devotion that Stephanie has shown throughout her career to reach this level will provide inspiration to millions of girls and women around Europe and show them there should be no barriers in order to reach one's dream." Germany's Bibiana Steinhaus became the first female referee in one of the top European leagues when she took charge of a Bundesliga match between Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen in September 2017. Nicole Petignat was the first female referee assigned to a men's match in UEFA competition, overseeing three qualifiers in the UEFA Cup between 2004 and 2009.

Stephanie Frappart to referee UEFA Super Cup

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