When Rebecca Welch takes charge of Fulham’s match against Manchester United, she will become the first female referee to officiate a Premier League match.
- Welch became the first female referee in the Premier League
- Refereeing the 2023 Women’s World Cup
- He has also worked in the Championship
WHAT HAPPENED? Welch will make history on Saturday as she becomes the first female referee to take charge of a Premier League match. The Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United will see Welch act as the fourth official at Craven Cottage.
Welch’s career has grown significantly as she became the first woman to referee a Championship match between Preston North End and Birmingham City. Wells was also selected as a referee at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. Wells took charge of three matches, including the round of 16 match between Denmark and Australia.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Having overseen the FA Women’s Cup Final in both 2017 and 2020, Welch has been elevated to the top tier of female referees by UEFA. Later, in 2021, she made history as the first female referee in England, officiating a professional match.
AND WHAT’S MORE: Welch will not be the only female referee involved in the match as Sian Massey-Ellis will be assistant VAR for Saturday’s game. If match referee John Brooks is injured, then Wales will become the first woman to referee a Premier League match.
WHAT’S NEXT? Fulham’s game against Manchester United is the first Premier League game of the day, kicking off at 12:30 local time.