Eriksson, who started the Nations League game as captain before regular captain Kosovare Asllani came in, questioned several of Frappart's decisions.
The 41-year-old Frenchwoman is one of the most experienced referees in the world, has refereed several major matches and finals, and made history as the first woman to referee a men's World Championship in Qatar 2022.
"Frustrating”
It was frustrating not to know what she was blowing for, says Magdalena Eriksson and continues:
Just today, there was no good dialogue.
In the second half, debutant Smilla Holmberg was brought down in the penalty area and Nathalie Björn was blown off in connection with heading in a ball.
I can really say that it's one of the most clear-cut penalties I've seen in a long time, says Eriksson who has seen the replays afterwards.
Fridolina Rolfö agrees.
I haven't seen the pictures yet, but my feeling was that it would have been a penalty. She blew every corner we had. It also felt heavy. It felt like we deserved more in those situations, says the attacker and adds:
It's definitely heavy if it would have been a penalty.
Defender Nathalie Björn:
"Smilla would never”
I think it's a penalty, crystal clear. Smilla would never lie down and fake it in her first national team match.
National team coach Peter Gerhardsson takes the referee team in defense regarding the missed penalty. He questions why the assistant referee system VAR is not implemented in the Nations League – but will be used in this summer's European Championship in Switzerland.
For the referee, it can be very difficult. She stands in a position and has to make decisions together with her assistants, says he and continues:
If you're going to have VAR in championships, I think you should have it in major tournaments.
The goalless meeting with Italy, together with Denmark's 1–0 home win over Wales, means that a draw at home against the Danes on Tuesday will be enough to secure group victory and a semifinal spot in the Nations League.
