London, March 30: Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee for an English men’s professional league game when Harrogate face Port Vale on Monday.
“Initially I wasn’t really aware of it being appointed as the first female referee,” 37-year-old Welch said on Tuesday.
“I was just given the appointment and I was over the moon but when you kind of reflect on it, you think, you’re the first woman ever to do this.”
The English Football League runs the three divisions below the Premier League, including League Two where Welch will officiate Monday’s game.
“It shows that there is a real opportunity for young girls who are wondering if they are ready to take the whistle or are already referees. They can aspire to be an EFL referee or like Sian Massey-Ellis (as a referee’s assistant) operating in the Premier League.”
The 37-year-old Welch refereed the 2017 Women’s FA Cup final. (AP)
