Police investigation launched after Chelsea fan almost hits female assistant ref Sian Massey-Ellis with bottle during Crystal Palace clash

POLICE have opened an investiagion after Sian Massey-Ellis was almost hit by a bottle by a Chelsea fan in the champions’ 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace.

The 31-year-old was running the line closest to the Blues fans when the incident happened during the second half of their defeat at Selhurst Park.

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Massey-Ellis, 31, was close to the away end and the missile landed close to her, but reportedly did not hit her.

Now the Metropolitan Police are studying CCTV to see who threw the bottle – and track them down.

A spokesman said: “During the second half, a plastic bottle was thrown towards the pitch from the visiting supporters’ section in the Arthur Wait Stand.

“Nobody was struck by the bottle. CCTV has been viewed and police enquiries continue. There has been no arrest at this stage.”

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Massey-Ellis was awarded an OBE for her serviced to football in the New Year’s honours list and has blazed a trail for women officials in the game.

She was involved in a sexism controversy that led to the sacking of Andy Gray and Richard Keys from their lucrative and powerful positions at Sky Sports in 2011.

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Keys recently accused Massey-Ellis of lying and about what he said off camera in 2011 that was picked up by a microphone.

The former Sky anchor launched an astonishing outburst back in March – six years after the sexism storm erupted.

Palace ended up winning the game 2-1 thanks to a Cesar Azpilicueta own goal and a Wilfried Zaha special as the Eagles clinched their first goals and win of the season.

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