Sian Massey-Ellis has retired from match officiating to take a senior Football Association role supporting and developing female officials. Her departure marks the end of a trailblazing career in which she helped broaden women’s representation at the highest levels of English and international football.

The 40-year-old officiated in more than 150 Premier League matches after becoming only the second woman assistant referee in the competition in 2010. She was the first Englishwoman to officiate a men’s European match and the first woman to work a men’s FA Cup final, while also appearing at four Women’s Euros and the 2019 and 2023 World Cups; she received an MBE in 2017.