Rebecca Welch will become the Premier League’s first female referee when she takes charge of Fulham’s home game against Burnley on December 23.
Sam Allison, meanwhile, will become the league’s first Black referee in 15 years when he oversees Luton Town’s trip to Sheffield United three days later.
Welch has been refereeing since 2010 and became the first woman to referee a match in the men’s Championship at the start of this year.
In November, Welch made history by becoming the first woman to be involved in the Premier League in a refereeing capacity, as she was the fourth official for Manchester United’s 1-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The 40-year-old initially balanced her role in officiating alongside her job in the NHS, before turning her attention to officiating on a full-time basis.
Welch previously became the first woman to be appointed to referee a Football League game when she oversaw a League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale in April 2021 and was then selected for the national group of EFL referees assigned to League One and League Two matches. She had previously been a regular in charge of National League games, as well as refereeing in the Women’s Super League, and was also part of a UEFA select group of elite referees.
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