Rebecca Welch makes history at Craven Cottage, becoming Premier League's first female ref

Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee an English Premier League football match when she blew the whistle on Fulham's game against Burnley at Craven Cottage.

Welch, a 40-year-old from Washington in northeast England, was working for the National Health Service when she began her refereeing career in 2010.

She rose through the officiating ranks and, in 2021, became the first woman appointed to referee a match in the English Football League when she took charge of the fourth-tier fixture between Harrogate and Port Vale.

Welch was also the first female official to referee matches in the Championship and third round of the FA Cup.

Welch's name was welcomed by cheers when read out by the announcer ahead of kick off.

But the home supporters’ frustrations grew when her first few decisions went in favour of Burnley and they offered sarcastic cheers when their side were awarded a foul in midfield.

The debutante got every decision right up to that point but she was met with whistles and "don’t know what you are doing" chants after she waved off Harry Wilson’s appeals just inside the visitors’ half.

Nonetheless, the official was praised for her willingness to play advantage. The visitors won the match 2-0.

Last month she became the first woman to act as fourth official in a Premier League game as part of the officiating team for Fulham's match against Manchester United.

With additional reporting: PA