‘Trailblazer’ Rebecca Welch breaks new ground as Premier League referee

Forty-year-old set to become league’s first female referee and her appearance may have a welcome effect of lessening abuse

TRAILBLAZER: Rebecca Welch's historic appointment to officiate a Premier League match has been welcomed. Photo credit: Isaac Parkin/PA Wire.

Rebecca Welch is no stranger to being first. Two years ago, she became the first female referee in the EFL when she officiated a League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale.

The first woman to oversee a Championship match, she also became the first woman to act as fourth official in a Premier League game (Manchester United’s 1-0 away win over Fulham last month).