Arsenal suffered a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday in pre-season, with a decision made at the death of the game prompting jeers around the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal fans
Arsenal fans were unimpressed with SIan Massey-Ellis(Image: Getty Images)
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Sian Massey-Ellis was booed by Arsenal fans as she made a controversial decision during the Gunners' 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Massey-Ellis was acting as an assistant referee for the pre-season friendly, which took place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon - deputising to Chris Kavanagh.
It was an almost flawless outing for the official, which marked the final game of her refereeing career.
However, what should have been a day to remember for Massey-Ellis quickly turned sour, as she was booed by Arsenal fans for a tight call at the very end of the match.
It was a long first-half for Mikel Arteta's Gunners, who quickly slipped into a two-goal deficit thanks to strikes from Samuele Inacio and Konstantinos Karetsas.
While Ethan Nwaneri managed to pull one back for the hosts early into the second-half, Joane Gadou extended Dortmund's lead once again just minutes later.
Viktor Gyokeres then gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope with around 20 minutes left to play with a coolly converted penalty, as the north London side built momentum headed down the home stretch.
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Gabriel Martinelli looked to have equalised in the game's dying moments, as the Emirates Stadium erupted in jubilation.
However, those celebrations were short-lived, on account of Massey-Ellis raising her flag to indicate that the Brazilian was offside in the process.
The incredibly-tight call was met with boos from frustrated home fans, who couldn't rely on VAR to determine whether Massey-Ellis' call was correct.
With the full-time whistle blowing shortly after, Arsenal slipped to an agonising 3-2 loss to Die Borussen (before winning a penalty shootout), showing work is needed ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser with Coventry City later this month.
It comes as Massey-Ellis announced her retirement from officiating earlier this week, as she moves into a position with the Football Association.
Sian Massey-Ellis looks
Sian Massey-Ellis has retired from refereeing(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
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Announcing her decision, she said: "Although I am stepping away from the touchline, I am not stepping away from football. If my journey has helped change perceptions, open doors or inspire even one young person to believe they belong in the game, then I will consider that one of my greatest achievements."
She added: "While there have been unforgettable highs and difficult moments, what I will treasure most are the people and experiences that have defined my journey," said Massey-Ellis.
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"I'm excited by the opportunity to help support, develop and inspire the next generation of match officials, giving something back to a sport that has done so much for me.
"It has been the greatest honour to serve the game I love and represent English officiating. To the young girl who simply loved refereeing and dreamed of reaching the very top - we did it. Thank you, football."