Via The Athletic, a look at the milestone of Rebecca Welch becoming Premier League’s first female referee:

Rebecca Welch becoming the Premier League’s first female referee is a “milestone” moment for football, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has said.

Welch has been appointed to Burnley’s trip to Fulham on December 23 — the first time a woman will take charge of a top-flight match in men’s football in England.

“It is a milestone,” Kompany said of Welch’s appointment.

“I think she will take great pride in having done it herself. A lot of women, in general, and within the game as well, specifically, will see this as a way to achieve at the highest level.”

In November, Welch made history by becoming the first woman to be involved in the Premier League in a refereeing capacity, as she was the fourth official for Manchester United’s 1-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

“I am always pro any kind of extension anyway because it just widens the pool of talent and I do think we need access to all the available talent, so we have the best referees in the best league in the world,” Kompany said.

Welch has been refereeing since 2010 and she officiated in the men’s Championship at the start of this year, becoming the first woman to do so.

Sam Allison, meanwhile, will become the league’s first Black referee in 15 years when he oversees Luton Town’s trip to Sheffield United on Boxing Day.

Allison has officiated in the Championship this season after games in League One and League Two last campaign, having previously been a footballer on the books of Swindon, Bristol City, Bournemouth and Exeter City.

Kompany also welcomed Allison’s introduction in the Premier League, a division which has not had a Black referee since 2008 when Uriah Rennie officiated.

“What you have to look at is not necessarily what it means for the person themselves,” Kompany added.

“Behind it there are a lot of people who don’t think it is possible, who don’t think they can achieve it.

“By seeing those examples they will say: ‘I could be the next one, maybe I could do something positive’.”