Referee Emily Carney, based in Bolton, has been inducted into the PGMOL Hall of Fame ahead of her FIFA international tournament debut this summer.

After officiating the Women’s Champions League Final in Bilbao between Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais last season alongside fellow Hall of Famer Natalie Aspinall, she has now been given the call up for this year’s Olympics in Paris.

“We’re incredibly proud of Natalie and Emily for the outstanding achievements in their careers to date. Their recent appointment to the prestigious UEFA Women’s Champions League final marks the latest in a growing list of impressive milestones between them," Howard Webb, PGMOL Chief Refereeing Officer, said.

“Natalie was the first woman to run the line in the Premier League since Sian Massey-Ellis MBE and has since gone on to represent at the Women’s World Cup, forming part of the team to oversee the third place play-off. Emily made her EFL debut last season and will be heading to Paris this summer to officiate in the Olympics football tournaments.

 “They have both delivered on the biggest of stages and their ongoing accomplishments are an inspiration. The path they continue to carve will undoubtedly encourage and empower others to follow in their footsteps.”

The former Lancashire FA Female Match Official of the Year has had an amazing few months but we’re sure they’ll be many more inspirational achievements to come.