Rebecca Welch has written a piece of football history: she was the first female referee to referee a game in the Premier League.
The 40-year-old refereed the duel between Fulham FC and Burnley FC on Saturday (December 23, 2023). As Welch walked onto the field, she was greeted with applause by some fans. She had previously served as the fourth official on the sidelines in the Premier League.
Welch has already made Premier League history
At the beginning of November, Welch was the first woman to accompany a Premier League game as fourth official, when she was part of the referee team in the game between Fulham and Manchester United (0-1). She was also used as a referee at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.
FIFA referee Welch was the first woman to officiate games in the men’s second division. At the end of November, the 40-year-old was insulted by misogynistic chants in the stadium during the second division game between Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday. Two young football fans were temporarily arrested.