Rebecca Welch is set to make history as the first woman to officiate a Premier League match when she oversees Fulham’s home game against Burnley on 23 December. This groundbreaking moment coincides with Sam Allison’s historic role as the first black referee in the top flight for 15 years when he officiates at Bramall Lane for Sheffield United versus Luton on Boxing Day.
Both Welch and Allison are part of a development group of officials, fast-tracked by the refereeing body, PGMOL, with the aim of enhancing the quality of refereeing across the four top divisions in England. This season, they have been actively refereeing in the Championship, with Welch also contributing as a fourth official in the Premier League.
Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer at PGMOL, commended their performances, stating, “Both Rebecca and Sam were part of the development group that was created last year. Credit to them; they have delivered good performances in the Championship this season and deserve their opportunities due to their quality and talent.”
Welch, who started her refereeing career in 2010 while working in the NHS, achieved several milestones, including becoming the first woman to referee a Football League match in 2021 (a League Two fixture between Harrogate and Port Vale). Hailing from Washington in Tyne and Wear, she also became the first woman to officiate matches in the Championship and the third round of the FA Cup. Last month, Welch made history as the first woman to serve as the fourth official in a Premier League game during Manchester United’s victory against Fulham.
In addition to her domestic achievements, Welch has officiated high-profile matches in the Women’s Super League, refereed the Women’s FA Cup final twice, and taken charge of international matches, including the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Her ascent in the world of football officiating is not only a personal triumph but also serves as a positive example and inspiration for under-represented communities.
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