Europa League: Sian Massey-Ellis to be first English woman to referee men’s European game

Massey-Ellis, who is a Premier League regular, will turn out as the assistant referee at the Philips Stadium – PSV’s home ground

Sian Massey-Ellis will be an assistant in the Europa League (Getty)

Football refereeing history will be made on Thursday night as Sian Massey-Ellis becomes the first English woman to officiate in a men’s European fixture.

Massey-Ellis, who is a Premier League regular, will turn out as the assistant referee at the Philips Stadium – PSV’s home ground.

She will be joined by referee Chris Kavanagh, assistant Dan Cook and fourth official Peter Bankes in the Europa League game between PSV Eindhoven and Linzer ASK.

The Coventry-born official’s appointment adds to her growing list of achievements, which already includes becoming the first woman to officiate in the Community Shield, after being selected for the Liverpool vs Manchester City season-opener in August.

Massey-Ellis, said: “It was really exciting when I found out. And I was obviously chuffed for Chris Kavanagh as well. In fact, when the appointment first came out, we tried to ring each other at the exact same moment and we both got each other’s answerphone!

Massey-Ellis has been regular in English football (Reuters)

“But it’s a big achievement for me personally, it’s been a dream of mine to officiate in a European competition and I’m delighted to be able to tick it off.”

Massey-Ellis’s landmark selection follows in the footsteps of Stephanie Frappart’s refereeing appointment to the Uefa Super Cup in August, making her the first woman to take charge of a major men’s European game.

The English referee continued: “I think that it’s definitely becoming more normal to see female officials in the men’s game.

“Stephanie Frappart refereeing the Europa Super Cup was a big moment, ultimately it shouldn’t matter what gender, race or religion anyone is, it’s about going out there and doing your job as best you can.”

“I don’t think you could have wiped the smile off my face when I found out for a few days, but we all know that there’s an important job to do when the whistle goes.”