Trailblazer Rebecca Welch retires as referee to help new wave of female officials

Rebecca Welch, the first woman to referee a Premier League fixture, has retired from officiating at the age of 40 to take up a managerial role with Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

Welch, who was also first woman to referee an English Football League match, has regularly represented English officials in international competitions and was took charge of last season’s Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon in Bilbao.

A prominent referee in the Women’s Super League and frequently picked to be in the middle for the WSL’s highest-profile matches, Welch has been hired as the manager of the Select Group Women’s Professional Game, with the task of supporting and developing WSL and Women’s Championship match officials.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support, guidance and opportunities I’ve been given during an unforgettable time on the field,” Welch said. “Refereeing has given me so much including many amazing memories and I hope to continue to see more youngsters take advantage of the growing opportunities which are there for everyone. I’m now excited by my new challenge and giving back to the game I love in a new capacity.”

Formerly an NHS worker, Welch started refereeing in 2010 and became a full-time official in 2019. She stamped her name in the history books in 2021 when she became the first woman to referee an EFL match by taking charge of Harrogate Town v Port Vale and oversaw Fulham v Burnley in the Premier League in December 2023.

The PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb, said: “Rebecca has been a pioneering figure within refereeing, consistently breaking barriers and achieving great things in England while she has also done us proud on the international stage when representing PGMOL and The FA at major tournaments, including the recent Olympics.

“I have no doubt her expertise and passion will be invaluable in her managerial role with us. We’re thrilled to have her as part of our team of support staff and we’re confident that her contributions will continue to be hugely significant.”

Welch has taken charge of two Women’s FA Cup finals, in 2017 and 2020, and has worked at tournaments including the 2022 Women’s Euros, the 2023 Women’s World Cup and this summer’s Olympics women’s football tournament, finishing her career as the fourth official for the gold medal match.