Rebecca Welch Announces Retirement as Premier League’s First Female Referee.
Rebecca Welch, the trailblazing referee who made history as the Premier League’s first female match official, has announced her retirement from on-field duties to take up a managerial role within the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
Welch, who has broken numerous barriers throughout her career, is stepping away from refereeing after a successful run that included officiating in the English Football League (EFL), Premier League, and international tournaments. Notably, she refereed the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in May and was a regular fixture at major tournaments worldwide.
Welch will now assume the position of manager for the Select Group Women’s Professional Game, where she will focus on supporting and developing officials within the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship. Her new role aims to inspire the next generation of referees and help cultivate a high-performance culture within women’s football.
Reflecting on her career, Welch expressed her gratitude: “I’m incredibly grateful for the support, guidance, and opportunities I’ve been given during an unforgettable time on the field. Refereeing has given me so much, including many amazing memories, and I hope to continue seeing more youngsters take advantage of the growing opportunities.”
PGMOL Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb praised Welch’s contributions, stating, “Rebecca has been a pioneering figure within refereeing, consistently breaking barriers and achieving great things in England and on the international stage. We’re thrilled to have her as part of our team, and we’re confident her contributions will continue to be hugely significant.”
Welch began her refereeing journey in 2010 while balancing a career in the NHS. She became a full-time match official in 2019, quickly achieving historic milestones, including being the first woman to referee an EFL match and making her Premier League debut in December 2023. Welch’s accomplishments will see her inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.
As she transitions into her new role, Welch will be joined by former referee Lou Saunders, who will serve as a coach for the Select Group Women’s Professional Game. Saunders brings a wealth of experience from her time officiating at the highest levels of women’s football, further strengthening PGMOL’s coaching staff.
Welch’s departure from the field marks the end of an era, but her influence on the game will continue to shape the future of refereeing in women’s football.
