By Tom Sanders
Sian Massey-Ellis is set to make history later tonight as she becomes the first English woman to officiate in a men's European fixture.
The Premier League assistant referee will lead the line in Thursday night's Europa League game between PSV Eindhoven and Linzer ASK at the Philips Stadion.
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Also officiating is referee Chris Kavanagh, as well as assistant Dan Cook and fourth official Peter Bankes.
"It was really exciting when I found out," said Sian, speaking via the FA website.
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"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!"
"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."
In August, Massey-Ellis became the first woman to officiate in the Community Shield.
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"I think that it's definitely becoming more normal to see female officials in the men's game" she added,
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."
Massey-Ellis made her officiating debut in 2009 and has steadily worked her her up to becoming one of the game's top officials, becoming a mainstay in the Premier League, WSL and EFL.
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