Rebecca Welch made history on Saturday by becoming the first woman to officiate a Premier League match, taking charge of the game between Fulham and Burnley in the 18th round of the league. The 40-year-old referee blew the whistle at Craven Cottage in London, having previously served as the fourth official in November during Fulham’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, another groundbreaking moment.
Following in the footsteps of French referee Stéphanie Frappart, who now officiates in Ligue 1, Welch’s achievement marks a significant breakthrough in men’s football in England. In 2021, she became the first woman to referee a professional match in the country, officiating a League Two (fourth division) game between Port Vale and Harrogate.
Welch, an official since 2010, continued her refereeing career while working in the National Health Service (NHS) until 2019, before fully committing to her role as a referee.
A familiar face in the Women’s Super League and having officiated matches during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Welch’s journey exemplifies the growing inclusion of women in traditionally male-dominated roles within football.