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Rebecca Welch is poised to become the first woman to officiate in a Premier League match.
On the 23rd of December, the 40-year-old will be in control of Fulham’s match against Burnley at Craven Cottage.
In 2010, Welch started serving as an official and in January, she became the first woman to referee a men’s Championship game.
In the upcoming match on Boxing Day between Sheffield United and Luton, Sam Allison will make history as the first Black referee to officiate a game in the top division of English football in 15 years.
Welch, born in Washington in Tyne and Wear, came through the Durham County FA and was the fourth official for Manchester United’s visit to Fulham in November.
She served as a member of the officiating panel for the 2023 Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
Allison, a member of PGMOL’s Select Group 2 like Welch, will become the Premier League’s first Black lead official since Uriah Rennie.
Sam Allison will be leading the match between Sheffield United and Luton.
Rennie served as an official in the competition for 11 years, overseeing his last match in 2008.
Allison, who is 42 years old, was a player for Swindon, Bristol City, Bournemouth, and Exeter.
Earlier this year, he expressed his passion for football, stating that it runs deep within him and is a natural part of who he is. He is determined to be a part of the sport in any capacity and although he did not achieve success as a player, he hopes to one day reach the highest levels as a referee.
Allison has managed over 100 games in the English Football League.
On Saturday, December 23rd, Chris Kavanagh will be the referee for the highly anticipated match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield.
The official also supervised the recent 1-1 tie between Liverpool and Manchester City.
Source: independent.co.uk
