A huge Premier League officiating barrier will be broken this weekend as rapid riser Rebecca Welch works as the fourth official for Saturday’s match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on November 4.
With the assignment, Welch will become the first female official in history to work a Premier League match, and she could be set for future assignments down the road as well as the league’s officiating body looks to overhaul its referee selection.
A veteran of the Women’s Super League and Women’s World Cup, Welch has shot up the men’s ranks over the past two years, marking a number of firsts in the process.
Having only just begun officiating games in the Championship earlier this year, she will now have a clear window to work top flight matches as the league hopes to improve its refereeing record which has faced significant criticism this season.
Who is female Premier League official Rebecca Welch?
39-year-old Rebecca Welch began officiating matches in 2010, working her way up the ranks in both the men’s and women’s games.
Welch has officiated games in the Women’s Super League for years, assigned to take charge of the 2017 and 2020…
