Premier League to have its FIRST-EVER female referee for a match next week, as Rebecca Welch, 40, makes history by taking charge of Fulham v Burnley

The Premier League will use its first ever female referee during Fulham's home match against Burnley on December 23, and the first black referee since 2008 later that month.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb confirmed that Rebecca Welch will be in charge of the historic league match as the Premier League breaks new ground.

In early November, Welch became the first female official to be involved in a Premier League draw when she served as the fourth official when Manchester United met Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Welch began her refereeing career in 2010, while also working an administrative job in the NHS, and became a full-time official in 2019.

As well as making regular appearances in the Women's Super League, Welch has consistently broken records and became the first woman to referee an EFL match when she took charge of Harrogate Town versus Port Vale in League Two in 2021.

Sam Allison – who will officiate the match between Sheffield United and Luton on December 26 – will become the first black referee to officiate in the English top flight since Uriah Rennie 15 years ago.

In 2020, Allison became the first black official in English football's top four divisions, and both he and Welch were initially promoted to the Championship at the start of the 2023–24 season.

More to follow.

Rebecca Welch and Sam Allison will guide historical relationships over the Christmas period

Howard Webb announced the historic referee appointments on Thursday afternoon