More Sian Massey

SIAN MASSEY BEATS BULLIES
DAILY STAR SUNDAY
ABOVE: Sian Massey ran the line at a League Two clash between Chesterfield and Aldershot
6th February 2011
By Jonathan Corke

The woman ref at the centre of the sexism row defied the bullies yesterday and was back in action.

Sian Massey, 25, was quietly ushered on to the pitch after two weeks away to run the line at a League Two clash between Chesterfield and Aldershot.


She survived plenty of terrace banter but the game’s male ref was taunted over some “dubious” decisions.


Stuart Basson, commentating on Chesterfield FC’s live online radio, quipped: “Do you think we are going to come away complaining about the ref? I mean, men, what do they know about football?”


A fortnight ago comments about Sian by Sky Sports duo Andy Gray and Richard Keys cost them their jobs.


But there were few complaints about Sian’s performance during the 2-2 draw yesterday.


Some of the 5,669 fans did barrack her over the sexism scandal but she shrugged it off and got on with running the line.


A friend said: “It’s a huge relief for Sian to get back to work. She just hopes she can be allowed to get on with it now.”


But her next game as a ref is at a ground where a fight erupted the last time she was in charge.


On Tuesday, Redditch United take on Solihull Moors in a Blue Square Bet North clash at the Valley Stadium.


In 2009, Sian sent off local lad Jamie Oliver and opposing skipper Neil Tolson.


And in a scathing match report from losing team Hyde FC it was claimed she “failed to gain respect from either team from the outset”.


The report went on: “She collected a series of bookings for trivial tackles but missed key incidents and totally lost control in the last quarter of the game resulting in Neil Tolson and Jamie Oliver being sent off after a scuffle.