UEFA have appointed their first female official Stephanie Frappart for the UEFA Super Cup in the match today between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul.

Stephanie became the first women referee to have referred a Ligue 1 match between Amiens SC and Strasbourg in April 2019.

Fans applauded her appearance and greeted with banners reading "Long live women in football."

Tonight's game between Chelsea and Liverpool will be refereed by Frappart with assistance from Manuella Nicolosi and Michelle O'Neal. They all officiated at this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup in France. 

Stephanie follows in the footsteps of one of football's most respected female referees, Nicole Petignat.

Liverpool football club manager Jürgen Klopp said: "It is a brilliant decision to have a woman to be the referee in a significant game before millions of people."

"I'm very pleased to be part of this moment in history, which is very much due," said Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.

In England currently there are about 1500 female referees, and this number is expected to be double in 2021.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: "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 to reach one's dream."

Stephanie hopes young girls seeing her referee "will stimulate them to pursue their vocations."