Premier League managers have backed the decision to appoint Rebecca Welch as the first woman to referee a top-flight game in England.
Welch will officiate Fulham’s match against Burnley on 23 December.
The 40-year-old began refereeing in 2010, and in January she became the first woman to referee a men’s Championship game.
“I’m so happy to see it in football,” Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said.
“When we were in France [with PSG], Stephanie [Frappart] is a female referee and she was really, really good. And why not? I think the capacity is there. I think [we should] open our minds and everyone has the quality, we have to make sure the people are about the quality.”
Stephanie Frappart has been a trailblazer for female referees, taking charge of men’s Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 fixtures in France, as well as being the first woman to officiate in the Champions League and Uefa Super Cup.
Frappart became the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup fixture during Qatar 2022 when she took charge of Germany’s 4-2 victory over Costa Rica.
Welch served as a fourth official in the Premier League in November as Manchester United beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
She was the first woman to take charge of an FA Cup third-round tie in 2022 after being added to the EFL’s national list for men’s football, which oversees League One and League Two fixtures.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking about Welch, said: “It is great news. I wish her all the best, it will be positive. The diversity we have is incredibly positive for the league. It is something that was needed.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was also supportive of the decision, saying: “Excellent news. Hopefully, in the future, there can be more. Everybody is more involved. It is good.”
Welch, from Washington in Tyne and Wear, refereed at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.
“I think it’s a great moment,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.
“For me, it’s got to be based on ability, not gender, ability to referee and I fully support it.”
Welch oversaw her first Women’s Super League game in 2014 when Chelsea beat Everton 2-1.
Brian Sorensen, manager of the Everton women’s team, told BBC Radio Merseyside: “We’ve seen it around Europe that some of the really top referees are getting a chance in the highest men’s game level.
“Now females are getting an opportunity on the bigger stage and I only applaud that. I’m very grateful and happy for that.”
‘Visibility matters’
The Premier League also announced that Sam Allison will take charge of the game between Sheffield United and Luton at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day, making him the first black referee in the top flight for 15 years.
Uriah Rennie, the league’s last black referee, retired from officiating in English football’s top four divisions in 2009. The EFL’s last non-white referee – Jarnail Singh – retired in 2010.
The Football Association laid out plans in July to recruit 50% more referees from “historically under-represented” backgrounds by 2026, aiming to add 1,000 women referees and 1,000 black or Asian referees at all levels of football in three years.
Currently, 8% of officials are of black or Asian ethnicity, but only 3% in professional football.
“Referees up and down the land are waking up this morning and thinking there are no barriers to get to the top,” anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“Visibility matters. Well done to FA-PGMOL and organisations like BAMRef for helping to create those journeys. There are many more inspirational stories to be told.”
BAMRef, a group offering guidance, support, mentoring and counselling to black, Asian and mixed heritage referees, also welcomed the news regarding Allison.
“Sam’s appointment is another significant step in the right direction towards refereeing reflecting society and the playing contingent within football,” a group statement read.
“It is a culmination of years of hard work by BAMRef members and we hope to continue our work further with both the FA and PGMOL leadership to identify and progress more officials from black, Asian and mixed heritage communities.”
