Title: Hendrich Stands by Frappart Amid Champions League Controversy
In the face of heated criticism following her Champions League appearance in the men's clash between Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen (0:0), referee Stephanie Frappart, 39, has the backing of German national soccer player Kathrin Hendrich. The 31-year-old VfL Wolfsburg defender expressed her confidence in Frappart's abilities, stating, "She usually does her job very well, and she carries herself with a strong demeanor."
During Wednesday's Champions League encounter, Frappart's decisions, such as denying Munich a potential handball penalty, did not sit well with Bayern supporters. Hendrich, however, chose to focus on the positives, adding, "I find it pleasant because you can simply discuss things with her if there are any ambiguities."
Bayern's substitute goalkeeper, Sven Ulreich, also shared his thoughts on the French referee, stating, "She can give me a yellow card. But I'm not going to make a fool of myself and run in front of her." Ulreich, who was disappointed by Frappart's denial of a corner kick whistle in the second half, acknowledged her authority to make calls, ensuring his emotions would not cloud his game.
Coach Thomas Tuchel approached the matter cautiously, warning against engaging in arguments with referees as it could lead to unfavorable consequences. When questioned about Ulreich's yellow card, Tuchel maintained his stance, emphasizing that it's better not to challenge referees like opposing coaches might.
Frappart made history in the Champions League match, becoming one of the few women to officiate at the top level in European soccer. Though the match ended in a goalless stalemate, Frappart's performance once again put her in the spotlight, her composure and decisions earning mixed reactions from the German side.
Enrichment Insights:
When assessing the sources for this piece, it was evident that none provided specific details about Kathrin Hendrich's support for Stephanie Frappart following her Champions League appearance. The sources focused mainly on match statistics and recent news in the Ligue 1 and European competitions.
However, the enrichment data indicates that Frappart is a highly recognized and respected referee in European soccer. Heylin suffered serious injuries during a police operation in Rostock, while Bachmann may miss Hansa Rostock's fixture against Karlsruhe due to unspecified reasons.
Additionally, Lyon and Lille are reported to be in strong form following promising results in the Ligue 1 and European competitions.
