Assistant referee Massey-Ellis retires to take FA role
Sian Massey-Ellis, a trailblazing assistant referee in the Premier League, has announced her retirement to take a senior management role at the Football Association. Her career is noted for breaking gender barriers in top-tier men's football officiating.
Why it matters
Massey-Ellis's career represents a significant milestone for gender representation and professional development in elite sports officiating.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Sian Massey-Ellis has announced her retirement from officiating football matches
Assistant referee Sian Massey‑Ellis has announced her retirement from officiating to take up a position with the Football Association.
Massey‑Ellis, who officiated in more than 150 Premier League matches, will start a senior manager role focused on supporting and developing female officials.
Since rising to the Premier League as an assistant referee in 2010 - becoming only the second woman to do so - Massey‑Ellis became the first Englishwoman to officiate in a men's European fixture and first woman to officiate in a men's FA Cup final, as well as being involved in five Women's FA Cup finals.
After announcing her retirement, Massey-Ellis said: "Although I am stepping away from the touchline, I am not stepping away from football.
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