Women's Super League: The fascinating audio from Chelsea vs Reading referee

Women’s Super League referee Emily Heaslip was mic’d up for Chelsea’s 5-0 victory against Reading earlier this month.

For the first time in Sky Sports history, the footage was released to give fans an insight into how officiating decisions are made during a football match.

The footage, which was shown as a full feature on Inside the WSL, is fascinating to watch.

Heaslip is calm and authoritative as she works with fellow officials Ceri Williams, Georgia Ball and Louise Saunders to keep control of the match.

In one particular highlight, she reminds a Reading player to kick-off the game with a brilliant remark: “Well someone needs to kick it don’t they?”

In another clip, Heaslip watches Chelsea winger Erin Cuthbert track back and dispossess Deanne Rose.

After agreeing the tackle was a fair one, Heaslip mutters: “She just loves a challenge, Erin”.

The footage also shows Heaslip award a penalty for a foul on Beth England. The referee then ensures all Reading players do not encroach the penalty box, before reminding goalkeeper Grace Moloney to keep “one foot on the line”.

England successfully converts the penalty, having already scored earlier in the game. Sam Kerr was another to score twice, with Jessie Fleming also hitting the back of the net.

The victory against Reading helped propel Chelsea to the top of the WSL table. They are just one point in front of second-placed Arsenal, however, with four games left to play.

It is rare to have the opportunity to listen to a referee’s decisions during a football match, with fans often demanding for officials to be mic’d up in the Premier League.

It remains to be seen whether Sky Sports will do the same again and release the referee’s audio from a men’s football game.