IRISH ASSISTANT REFEREE Michelle O’Neill has been chosen to officiate at Saturday’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final between Germany and Sweden in Rennes.
O’Neill is a regular fixture at League of Ireland and Women’s National League games and has worked at many Fifa and Uefa competitions across the world as an assistant referee.
The Wexford native became the first Irish woman to referee at a World Cup in Canada four years ago, most notably officiating the US’s quarter-final meeting with China in front of 65,000 supporters in Ottawa.
This summer O’Neill is undertaking her second successive World Cup, the highest honour of any referee in football.
She was an assistant during Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Japan during the group stages, officiated the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory against Canada and was a VAR official during England’s controversial knockout stage victory against Cameroon.
Stéphanie Frappart, part of O’Neill’s team at the World Cup, will referee Saturday’s quarter-final. Frappart made history last year by becoming the first woman to referee a men’s Ligue 1 game in the French top-flight.
Germany, who are unbeaten with four wins from four, topped Group B with defeats of Spain, China and South Africa before comfortably seeing off Nigeria 3-0 in the round of 16.
Sweden, on the other hand, finished second in Group F. They beat Chile 2-0 and Thailand 5-1, but fell to a 2-0 defeat to World Cup favourites and defending champions the United States.
They beat Canada 1-0 in the knockout stages thanks to a second-half strike from Stina Blackstenius.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Lads I hope when you change over to the 42 you sort your YouTube feeds , 3 out of 10 played , 2 of which I wouldn’t be caught listening to outside the gym never mind in it , but the most important one Call on Me played so all is forgiven Happy New Year !
AC/DC thunder struck.
Dance for cardio.
Metal and gangsta rap for resistance training.
Nothing better than having some Pantera, NWA, Hatebreed, Machine Head or Westside Connection blasting to help you through the next rep.
Bang on.