Makes history, Rebecca Welch marks a before and after in the Premier League

December 23rd will mark a momentous chapter in Premier League history with Rebecca Welch taking over as lead referee for the clash between Fulham and Burnley. At 40 years old, Welch, a referee since 2010, left her job in the NHS to dedicate herself completely to refereeing, demonstrating her commitment to the sport.

Welch's career had already made its mark in January when he refereed a match in the Championship, and in 2021 when he refereed a fourth division clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale. Her presence as the fourth referee in the clash between Fulham and Manchester United in November had anticipated this historic moment.

It is not the only milestone that she will mark that day, since Sam Allison will be the referee in the duel between Sheffield United and Luton Town on December 26, during the traditional Boxing Day. Allison, being black, will break a barrier that had not been overcome in the Premier League for 15 years since the retirement of Uriah Rennie in 2008.

The Football Association pledged in July to increase the recruitment of referees from historically underrepresented backgrounds by 50% by 2026. These events mark a significant step towards diversity and inclusion in English football, reflecting the positive change that is looking for in sports.

The important matches

Welch has refereed important matches in the Women's Super League, as well as the Women's FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, at Wembley Stadium. Sam Allison, for his part, will referee the match between Sheffield United and Luton Town on Boxing Day, December 26, one of the most traditional days in English football, thus becoming the first black referee in the competition since Uriah Rennie, who retired in 2008.