Sian Massey‑Ellis retires from officiating to take up FA senior manager role
Sian Massey‑Ellis announced her retirement from officiating on 7 August 2026 to take up a position with the Football Association. She will move into a senior manager role focused on supporting and developing female officials.
Massey‑Ellis officiated in more than 150 Premier League matches after rising to the top tier as an assistant referee in 2010, when she became only the second woman to reach that level. Her career included being the first Englishwoman to officiate in a men's European fixture and the first woman to officiate in a men's FA Cup final, and she was involved in five Women's FA Cup finals.
On the international stage, Massey‑Ellis represented England at four Uefa Women's Euro tournaments and at the 2019 and 2023 Fifa Women's World Cups. In recognition of her contributions to officiating and representation, she received an MBE in the 2017 New Year's Honours.
After making the announcement, Massey‑Ellis said: "Although I am stepping away from the touchline, I am not stepping away from football. "If my journey has helped change perceptions, open doors or inspire even one young person to believe they belong in the game, then I will consider that one of my greatest achievements."
She reflected on the personal side of her career in further comments: "While there have been unforgettable highs and difficult moments, what I will treasure most are the people and experiences that have defined my journey," said Massey‑Ellis. "I'm excited by the opportunity to help support, develop and inspire the next generation of match officials, giving something back to a sport that has done so much for me. "It has been the greatest honour to serve the game I love and represent English officiating. To the young girl who simply loved refereeing and dreamed of reaching the very top - we did it. Thank you, football."
Massey‑Ellis will begin the senior manager role at the Football Association, where her remit will be to support and develop female officials.
