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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Hannah Jane Parkinson

‘Trailblazer’ Rebecca Welch breaks new ground as Premier League referee

Rebecca Welch during the League One match between Derby County and Wycombe at Pride Park
Rebecca Welch, who first took up the whistle in 2010. Photograph: MI News/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Rebecca Welch is no stranger to being first. Two years ago, she became the first female referee in the EFL when she officiated a League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale. The first woman to oversee a Championship match, she also became the first woman to act as fourth official in a Premier League game (Manchester United’s 1-0 away win over Fulham last month).

On Saturday, Welch returns to Craven Cottage, where she will take charge when Fulham host Burnley. In doing so, she will become – you guessed it – the first woman to oversee a Premier League fixture.

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