Rebecca Welch has become the first female referee to be appointed to a game in the English Football League, it has been announced. The highest-ranking female referee in English football will take charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale on Monday. Welch is the first female to be appointed to a match as an EFL referee. "It's not something I thought that, when I decided to be a referee 11 years ago, I would be in the Football League doing a game. But I've gone through the men's pathway and I've never experienced anything like that (abuse) because I'm a female referee.

Source: Sky sports March 30, 2021 10:52 UTC