A Referee Was Mic'd Up On Sky Sports For The First Time Ever, The Footage Is Fascinating

A referee was mic'd up for the first time in Sky Sports history, offering viewers a fascinating insight into how an official takes charge of a game.

For Chelsea's 5-0 win over Reading earlier this month in the Women's Super League, Emily Heaslip had a mic attached to her picking up all kinds of dialogue with both sets of players and giving an understanding of her decision-making.

A snippet of the footage was posted on Sky Sports' social channels as part of a full feature on the 'Inside the WSL' programme.

The clip selected sees Heaslip award a penalty for a foul on Beth England inside the area before she converts the subsequent penalty.

We see the full process of her managing the situation, from asking England if she is the taker to instructing opposite goalkeeper Grace Moloney to keep one foot on the line.

Calm but authoritative, Heaslip also makes sure there's no encroaching in the area and from just less than a minute, you get an indicating of the rapport she has developed with the players and the importance of doing so.

The full feature will also see fellow officials Ceri Williams, Georgia Ball and Louise Saunders have their live, on-pitch conversations aired and provide a new level of access.