Rebecca Welch is set to make history as the first woman to officiate a Premier League match, having been appointed as the referee for the clash between Fulham and Burnley on Saturday, December 23.
The 40-year-old previously achieved a landmark in EFL history by refereeing a game in April 2021 and subsequently took charge of a men’s FA Cup fixture nine months later. Additionally, Welch served as the fourth official during Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Fulham in November, marking the first instance of a woman assuming this role.
Welch’s upcoming role in the Fulham vs. Burnley match at Craven Cottage, just two days before Christmas, represents a significant milestone for female officials in the country. This achievement adds to Welch’s already prominent position as a referee in the Women’s Super League and her participation in the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand earlier in the year.
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In a parallel historic appointment, Sam Allison is slated to officiate Sheffield United’s Boxing Day clash with Luton Town, becoming the first Black Premier League referee since Uriah Rennie in 2008. Allison’s promotion to a Premier League referee role comes after years of experience in the EFL.
Rebecca Welch’s breakthrough moment stands as another stride forward for gender equality in sports officiating, complementing the longstanding contributions of officials like Sian Massey-Ellis, who has served as an assistant referee in the Premier League for nearly 15 years and officiated in various prestigious competitions, including men’s European club tournaments and the Women’s World Cup.