The Football Association has announced the match officials for the 2019 SSE Women’s FA Cup Final.
Abigail Byrne [Suffolk FA] has been appointed as match referee for the showpiece event between Manchester City and West Ham United taking place on Saturday 04 May 2019 at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. She will be joined by assistant referees Sian Massey-Ellis [Birmingham FA] and Mel Burgin [Sheffield and Hallamshire FA], and fourth official Lisa Benn [Berks & Bucks FA].
Abigail was promoted into the elite level of refereeing in 2015 and has operated in The FA Women’s Super League [FA WSL] since 2016. She has refereed 11 FA WSL and FA Women’s Championship matches so far this season and has recently become a FIFA referee.
Abigail Byrne said: “I’m absolutely honoured to be appointed to the biggest game in women’s football. It’s the call that every referee wants to get, but never a call you expect to get.
“I’ve had a good season so far but I never imagined I’d get the chance to referee at Wembley. It’s a massive game and it will be an honour to be a part of it.”
David Elleray, Chairman of The FA Referees’ Committee, added: “The FA Referees’ Committee is very pleased that, once again, a team of female match officials will take control of the Women’s FA Cup Final.
“Led by referee Abigail Byrne, the team includes the highly experienced Sian Massey-Ellis who officiates regularly in the Premier League and is a ‘veteran’ of some of the most important women’s international matches in the world. Mel Burgin and Lisa Benn, who have both enjoyed excellent performances this season, complete the quartet and the Referees’ Committee is convinced that they will all contribute to an exciting final, which will show the continuing growth in the quality of playing and officiating in the women’s game.”
Tickets for this season’s Final, which kicks off at 17:30, are already on sale priced £15 for adults while kids go free: www.thefa.com/tickets
