On December 23, Rebecca Welch is set to make history as the first female referee to officiate a Premier League match, overseeing Fulham’s home game against Burnley. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) officially confirmed this groundbreaking appointment on Thursday. In addition, Sam Allison is set to become the first Black official to take charge of a Premier League match in 15 years, officiating the Sheffield United vs. Luton Town match on December 26.
Howard Webb, the head of referees at PGMOL, expressed that both Welch and Allison have earned this opportunity. He highlighted their involvement in the PGMOL development group, which expedites the progress of talented officials. Webb emphasized the significance of Welch’s historic moment as the first female referee in the Premier League and Allison’s milestone as the first Black official with a whistle in the league since Uriah Rennie.
Welch, a trailblazer for female referees, previously served as the fourth official for Fulham vs. Manchester United in the Premier League last month, marking the first time a woman fulfilled that role. The 40-year-old, a regular in the Women’s Super League, brings extensive experience from officiating in the Football League, the FA Cup, and the women’s World Cup this year.
The PGMOL, committed to fostering greater diversity, sees Allison as a crucial addition. As the first Black referee in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie’s retirement in 2009, Allison, a former firefighter, ascended to the Football League in 2020 and progressed to the second-tier Championship earlier this year. This move aligns with PGMOL’s aim to promote diversity, marking a significant step forward in representation within the league.
