Rebecca Welch in Premier League referee history books as match to be officiated by a woman for first time

An English Premier League match is to be officiated by a woman referee for the first time next week.

Official Rebecca Welch is set to make history in becoming the first woman to referee a top flight game. The whistler will take charge of Fulham's clash with Burnley at Craven Cottage on December 23. Welch has already been a history-maker after being the first woman to be appointed to referee an English Football League game when she took charge of Harrogate Town vs Port Vale over two and a half years ago. Welch also became the first female to be involved in a top flight clash when she was fourth official in Manchester United's 1-0 win over Fulham last month.

In another landmark moment for referees, official Sam Allison will also become the first black referee in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie in 2008, and only the second black referee ever in the top flight. Sheffield United vs Luton on Boxing Day will be the clash Allison will be in charge of.

It comes after PGMOL chief Howard Webb pledged his plan to diversify the refereeing landscape in the summer, as he told the Mirror: "Our commitment is to ensure that opportunities are created to ensure that there's real diversity in the group of decision makers that I lead - and the organisation.”

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