Soccer Aid to have all-female refereeing team with Byrne set to take charge

Soccer Aid will have an all-female refereeing team for the first time with top-flight official Abigail Byrne set to take charge of Sunday’s game at Old Trafford.

Byrne is one of four Women’s Super League officials involved with the match.

Georgia Ball and Nicoleta Bria will be Byrne’s assistants while Jane Sims will be on fourth official duty.

There will be no VAR and the game will go straight to penalties if the result is a draw at full-time.

Byrne was promoted into the elite level of refereeing in 2015 and has operated in the WSL since 2016.

She also took charge of the women’s FA Cup final in 2019.

Soccer Aid, which raises money for UNICEF, will see England take on a Rest of the World XI.

Former Lionesses and Euro 2022 winner Jill Scott is captain of the England team while the recently retired Izzy Christiansen is also one of the ex-pros involved.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes will co-manage with Harry Redknapp.

As well as former footballers there are a number or celebrities involved, with the England team featuring the likes of Liam Payne and actor Tom Hiddlestone while the Rest of the World team includes former Manchester United stars Nani and Patrice Evra.