Trailblazer Rebecca Welch retires as referee to help new wave of female officials
Welch was first woman to referee Premier League matchShe will manage top officials in England’s women’s game
Rebecca Welch, the first woman to referee a Premier League fixture, has retired from officiating at the age of 40 to take up an off-pitch role helping the next generation of female officials.
Welch, who was also the first woman to referee an English Football League match, has regularly represented English officials in international competitions and took charge of last season’s Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon in Bilbao.
