Rebecca Welch to Become First Woman to Referee Premier League

United Kingdom – The Premier League will make a new breakthrough, namely using woman referee. Rebecca Welch will take charge of the Fulham vs Burnley match on December 23. 

Earlier, Rebecca Welch has already made her mark in the men's game, becoming the first woman to be appointed to referee an EFL match in April 2021 and the first to take charge of a men's FA Cup fixture in January 2022. 

The 40-year-old served as a fourth official during Manchester United’s win over Fulham in November and will now take charge of the pre-Christmas fixture at Craven Cottage as the Premier League breaks new ground.

She has also officiated extensively in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Champions League having also featured in the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.

Moreover, Welch became a referee in 2010, balancing her new role alongside her job with the NHS before taking up officiating permanently.

Meanwhile, Howard Webb, head of referees in the Premier League, is very happy with the appointment of Rebecca Welch as referee in the Premier League for the Fulham vs Burnley match.