In a historic move, Rebecca Welch is set to become the first female referee for a Premier League fixture, officiating Fulham’s match against Burnley on 23 December.
Welch, 40, started her refereeing career in 2010 and earlier this year became the first woman to referee a men’s Championship game.
Sam Allison will also make history as the Premier League’s first black referee in 15 years when he oversees Sheffield United’s match against Luton on 26 December. Uriah Rennie, the league’s last black referee, retired in 2009.
Howard Webb, referees’ chief, emphasized the significance of these appointments, stating, “These are pivotal moments for Rebecca and Sam, who are two officials of real quality. They deserve their opportunity.”
In July, the Football Association outlined plans to increase referee diversity, aiming for a 50% rise in officials from “historically under-represented” backgrounds by 2026. This includes recruiting 1,000 more women referees and 1,000 more black or Asian referees at all levels of football within three years.
While 8% of officials are of black or Asian ethnicity, only 3% are in professional football. The last black referee in the Premier League was Uriah Rennie in 2008.
Sam Allison, a former firefighter, was promoted to the Football League in 2020 and moved up to the Championship this year. Rebecca Welch, who has refereed in various competitions, made history in November as the first woman to be involved in a Premier League match in a refereeing capacity.
Webb expressed confidence in Welch, stating, “Rebecca has been exposed to some big games, and I am really confident she will deliver a game in the Premier League and be a really good model for women and girls to think refereeing is for them.”
The appointments of Welch and Allison reflect a commitment to breaking barriers and encouraging diversity in football officiating.
Source: BBC Sports
