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      Fans hail Rebecca Welch as Premier League’s first-ever female referee gets off to bright start during Fulham vs Burnley

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      FANS have hailed Rebecca Welch as she becomes the Premier League’s first-ever referee.Welch, 40, took charge of the match that saw Fulham host Burnley at Craven Cottage.
      Rebecca Welch became the first-ever female Premier League refereeCredit: EPA
      She was in charge of Fulham vs BurnleyCredit: EPA
      She booked Calvin BasseyCredit: AFP
      The fixture means a lot to the two involved clubs as the Clarets are battling against relegation while the Cottagers are trying to cement themselves in the top half.
      As she came out to warm up before the match and do their pre-match checks.
      It was clear that fans were warming to the referee as they applauded her from the stands.
      The official has had an untraditional rise to the Premier League.
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      She worked as an administrator for the NHS before taking charge of her first-ever League Two fixture between Harrogate Town and Port Vale in 2019.
      Fans were quick to praise Welch for not dominating the match too much as she let the clash flow as they flocked to social media.
      One posted: “Rebecca Welch letting a lot go in the early stages, which suits me just fine.”
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      A second commented: “What a brilliant moment of history.”
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      A third wrote: “Woman power.”
      A fourth said: “Smattering of applause with whistles of support as Rebecca Welch comes out to warm up with her assistants.”
      She laid down the marker for the players as she showed Calvin Bassey the yellow card for catching Josh Brownhill with a stray arm
      Welch had originally not wanted to be a referee but picked up the occupation after taking a course to learn more about the rules and laws of football.
      She also admitted that players would “chew her ear off” when she first started officiating.
      She is not the only person to make history before the end of the year.
      On boxing day, Sam Allison will assume control over Sheffield United and Luton Town and become the first black official since Uriah Rennie 15 years ago.
      PGMOL head of referees Howard Webb told Sky Sports: “They are both part of the PGMOL development group which fast-tracks talented officials through the pathway.
      “We have already seen three officials from the group take charge of their first Premier League games and now we have number four and five and it shows the value of that work.
      Read more on The Sun
      “We have not seen a female take charge of a Premier League game before so it’s significant, and Sam being the first black official with a whistle in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie.
      “It demonstrates people can make it through the pathway from groups that are not traditionally well represented.” More

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      Turkish referee breaks silence after punch by club president as he blames ex-Newcastle star for provoking brutal attack

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      A TURKISH referee who was punched in the face by a club president has broken his silence over the incident.Halil Umut Meler was struck by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca in disgraceful scenes after a top-flight Super Lig match last week.
      Ref Halil Umut Meler says he will not forgive Faruk Koca for punching himCredit: Getty
      Meler reckons Ankaragucu boss Emre Belozoglu inflamed the situationCredit: Getty
      The bad-tempered game saw visitors Rizespor snatch a 1-1 draw at the death.
      Hosts Ankaragucu also had two players sent off, sparking scenes of fury at the final whistle.
      President Koca launched an outrageous attack on Meler, punching him in the head.
      And another person kicked the ref while he was on the ground.
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      Meler suffered a slight fracture to his eye after being rushed to hospital.
      Koca has since resigned from his position, while all top-flight matches were postponed by the Turkish FA.
      But Meler has now broken his silence on the incident, claiming he will “not forgive” Koca’s strike.
      And he has also laid blame at the feet of Ankaragucu boss Emre Belozoglu, claiming the ex-Newcastle star inflamed the situation beforehand.
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      Meler was left with a fractured eye socket after being kicked while on the groundCredit: EPA
      Meler said: “No I do not forgive (Koca), I will not forgive.
      “I collapsed and fell to the ground. But the actual kicking while I was on the ground will be something I will never forget for the rest of my life.
      “That’s why, in conscience, I will never forgive. I will not forgive in any way, I will never forgive those who did it or those who provoked it.
      “I am saying this specifically, I will not forgive those who provoked it or those who did it.”
      Referring to Belozoglu, he said: “After blowing the whistle, the players came to thank me. Meanwhile, I saw Belozoglu’s hands and arms (waving).
      “(He was involved?) Yes, that is something clearly visible.”
      Ankaragucu responded to Meler’s interview, with spokesperson and board member Huseyin Aytekin saying: “Relevant referrals have been made regarding those responsible, and decisions have been rendered by the PFDK. 
      “Our club will exercise its right to appeal to the Arbitration Committee for PFDK decisions. 
      Read more on The Sun
      “We, as MKE Ankaragucu Club, are disheartened to witness our technical director, Emre Belozoglu, persistently being drawn into the unfolding events.
      “Our coach, Emre Belozoglu, whose name does not feature in the referee and representative reports, repeatedly expressed his regret to referee Halil Umut Meler both on the field and in the corridors.” More

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      Fresh chaos in Turkey as president pulls team off pitch in protest at referee call week after club boss punched official

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      TURKISH football descended into chaos once again as İstanbulspor president Faik Sarıalioğlu ordered his team off the pitch against Trabzonspor.Sarıalioğlu fumed at his side not being awarded a penalty and decided it was necessary to protest the referee’s decision.
      Istanbulspor president Faik Sarıalioğlu stormed onto the pitchCredit: AP
      He ordered his players off the pitch after the referee failed to award his side a penaltyCredit: Getty
      The players left the field of play at the match was suspendedCredit: Getty
      Trabzonspor players tried to remonstrate with officialsCredit: Getty
      He ordered his players off the pitch and they obeyed his instructions.
      It comes just a week after all football in Turkey was suspended by the football federation following an attack on a referee by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca.
      Istanbulspor were trailing their Super Lig clash with Trabzonspor 2-1 at the time of the incident, with the game being suspended in the 73rd minute.
      Minutes earlier Florian Loshaj went down under a challenge from Batista Mendy in the box but the ref waved play on.
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      Istanbulspor striker Simon Deli appeared to beg his president Sarıalioğlu not to take the team off.
      Trabzonspor manager Abdullah Avci reacted saying: “It is a sad day for football. We will wait for the football federation’s decision from now on.”
      Turkish football has only just returned from its suspension and children wore t-shirts with the word “respect” emblazoned across them ahead of kick-off, and also presented the referee with flowers.
      Last week referee Umut Meler was hospitalised after being punched on the pitch by Ankaragucu president Koca, with two fans kicking him as he lay on the floor.
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      Last week referee Umut Meler was punched on the pitch by Ankaragucu president Faruk KocaCredit: Getty
      He suffered a fractured eye socket and he was spotted in a neck brace while he lay in a hospital bed.
      Meler said following his release from hospital: “There is no problem with my health.”
      Asked if he would continue refereeing, he added: “They called me from UEFA. I will explain these issues later.
      “There is no situation at the moment, everything is possible. I just want to go home and rest.” More

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      Tragedy as teen boxer, 14, dies after collapsing during fight when referee ‘failed to stop bout in time’

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      A TEENAGE boxer has died after collapsing during a fight when the referee “failed to stop” the match in time.Shocking footage shows young boxing star Timofey Shadrin, 14, lose consciousness during the finals of a competition in Russia.
      Timofey Shadrin, a gifted teenage boxer, died during a match after collapsing in the ringCredit: East2West
      He had been hit by his rival before staggering back towards the edge of the ring
      Timofey (right) was a gifted young boxer who had made it to the finals of a junior competition
      The youngster died soon afterwards as he was rushed to hospital in Pervouralsk, in the Sverdlovsk region.
      He had appeared to hold his own in the fight but when the pair were separated by the referee, he backed slowly towards the ropes, and fell. 
      “When the boy became ill, the referee did not immediately stop the fight,” said an eyewitness. 
      “That’s why he missed some blows.
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      “Plus, his opponent was shorter, and at that moment, he hit him in the liver.”
      It was only when Timofey retreated into the corner and collapsed in the ring that the fight was stopped, said those watching. 
      The other boy initially celebrated but then realised Timofey was in trouble and went to try and help. 
      Coaches and medics also rushed into the ring as the tragedy unfolded. 
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      Sports journalist Alexander Lyutikov said: “A 14-year-old boxer lost consciousness during the final of the city championship. 
      “He died in the ambulance.
      “I’m watching this video and cannot imagine how the deceased’s rival feels now.”
      A police probe has begun into the teenager’s tragic death. 
      Children from the tournament rushed without coats in the minus 14C cold to demand the opening of a barrier at the hotel where the contest was held,  after an ambulance sent to help the wounded boxer was not allowed in.
      The ambulance could not initially get past a barrier into the hotel where the fight was being held.
      Children watching the tournament rushed, without coats on in -14C temperatures, to demand it be given access.
      “Shame on the hotel,” said a local.
      “Children ran outside without coats  in a panic so the ambulance could reach him.
      “A man forcibly raised the barrier.”
      The boy was described as an accomplished young boxer and had won all his rounds at the contest.
      “He has been boxing for about six full years,” said an acquaintance. 
      “He led an absolutely healthy lifestyle. He didn’t drink any energy drinks. 
      “He was positive, kind and helpful. He never insulted anyone. 
      “And he always came to the rescue when anyone needed help.”
      He was from a loving family and had two sisters, aged 15 and four. 
      “His father works at a local factory, his mother is self-employed,” said police spokesman Valery Gorelykh.
      The boy received a blow to his liver, he said. 
      “A few moments later, he fell in the ring. 
      “Detailed and exact circumstances are now being clarified by police officers and  colleagues from the regional Investigative Committee.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Natalya Krylova, mother of another boxer at the context, said: 
      “My brain refuses to imagine me in the place of Timofey’s parents.”
      Someone forcibly held up a barrier at the hotel where the competition was held to let an ambulance in
      Timofey was described as ‘positive, kind and helpful’ More

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      Mike Dean hints at football rule change after ‘poor law’ cost Arsenal in crucial Aston Villa clash

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      MIKE DEAN hinted at a potential rule change after Kai Havertz was denied an equaliser during Arsenal’s defeat at Aston Villa last weekend.Mikel Arteta was left furious once again after the German’s leveller was chalked off for handball.
      Kai Havertz had a goal disallowed for handballCredit: Getty
      Mike Dean gave his take on the decision
      The ball struck Matty Cash’s arm before ricocheting onto Havertz’s moments before the former Chelsea ace prodded home.
      Dean, who retired from refereeing last year after 22 years in the Premier League, admitted that whistler Jarred Gillett made the correct call at Villa Park.
      But the 55-year-old bemoaned the law while appearing on Sky Sports.
      Speaking earlier today, Dean said: “It’s 100 per cent the right decision.
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      “It’s something I don’t agree with but the way the law is written by Ifab, that if it strikes any part of your hand or arm and you put the ball in the back of the net, then you have to disallow it.
      “Credit’s got to be given to the referee for making the on-field decision, he’s made the call on-field.
      “Yes it’s hit Matty Cash’s hand but that’s in a normal position so it’s not handball. It’s hit Kai Havertz’s hand and gone in, they’ve disallowed the goal and rightly so.
      “If it hits Havertz’s hand and drops down to [Eddie] Nketiah and Nketiah puts the ball in the back of the net then you’re giving a goal.
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      “That’s why the law is so unfair.”
      He then emphasised his point, continuing: “That’s what’s wrong about it because if it drops down to Nketiah, who’s half a yard next to him, and knocks the ball into the back of the net, the goal gets given.
      “It’s just a poor law, really poor.”
      Asked if he thinks the rule will be changed, he added: “I like to think it would, to give people a bit more clarity what’s going on.
      “But then you’re messing around again with, ‘why are we changing every single year?’
      “So there’s got to be some kind of clarity with what’s going on.”
      Arteta, 41, watched the match from the stands last weekend after receiving three yellow cards.
      He stormed off before the end of the match, before fuming that he felt “clear and obvious” errors went against his team.
      Mikel Arteta was left frustrated at Villa ParkCredit: PA More

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      I’m a former Premier League referee – Sir Alex Ferguson lost it with me but Man Utd players never came after me again

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      FORMER Premier League referee Jeff Winter has recalled the time Sir Alex Ferguson berated him during a Manchester United match.Winter took charge of top-flight games between 1995 and 2004.
      Jeff Winter has recalled the time he had an argument with Sir Alex FergusonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Jeff Winter took charge of Premier League games between 1995 and 2004Credit: Getty
      In the early stages of his career he officiated a match between the Red Devils and Ipswich, but it was far from plain sailing.
      After he booked three United players for dissent, the referee received an earful from legendary manager Ferguson.
      However, that rant proved to be a blessing in disguise as he was never bothered by Man Utd players again.
      Winter exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “I had the ultimate respect for Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager.
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      “He started, restarted, and rebuilt Manchester United on several occasions. But he was very clever.
      “His comments about referees weren’t always about the game in question today, they were to try and influence future decisions. 
      “As a football fan, I want a manager of Sir Alex’s capability managing my club, so I fully understood him.
      “Very early in my career, I refereed Manchester United away to Ipswich, right at the beginning of the season.
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      “I got surrounded by three Man United players, and I issued three yellow cards for dissent.
      “I was a new referee and he castigated me for that decision. Who the hell did I think I was, and all of that kind of thing.
      “But I’ll tell you something, three Manchester United players didn’t surround me in a game throughout the rest of my career.”
      Winter has also revealed that he was the referees’ social secretary. More

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      Meet first female Premier League referee Rebecca Welch, who worked for the NHS before becoming a full-time official

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      ON December 23, history will be made.Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee to officiate a Premier League fixture.
      Referee Rebecca Welch is set to make history on December 23Credit: Getty
      Welch will officiate the Premier League match between Fulham and BurnleyCredit: PA
      The 40-year-old from Washington, Tyne and Wear will take charge of Fulham and Burnley at Craven Cottage.
      Just a few days later, Sam Allison will assume control over Sheffield United and Luton Town and become the first black official since Uriah Rennie 15 years ago.
      It’s a groundbreaking moment in England’s top flight, which was applauded by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.
      “I think it’s a great moment,” he said. 
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      “For me, it’s got to be based on ability, not gender, ability to referee and I fully support it.”
      While PGMOL head of referees Howard Webb told Sky Sports: “They are both part of the PGMOL development group which fast-tracks talented officials through the pathway.
      “We have already seen three officials from the group take charge of their first Premier League games and now we have number four and five and it shows the value of that work.
      “We have not seen a female take charge of a Premier League game before so it’s significant, and Sam being the first black official with a whistle in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie.
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      “It demonstrates people can make it through the pathway from groups that are not traditionally well represented.”
      But Rebecca’s path to the top was far from traditional.
      She admittedly fell into refereeing by mistake, before being the woman in the middle for the League Two fixture between Harrogate Town and Port Vale in 2019.
      Up until then she worked as an administrator for the NHS.
      Grateful to the NHS
      “The NHS are a crucial piece of the jigsaw to how I am here, with the flexibility they gave me,” Welch revealed.
      “I worked full-time but if I needed time off to go to games, if I needed to leave early or if I needed to go on any Uefa trips, they were always very accommodating. Never once did I have to say ‘I can’t attend a game because I have to go to work’ – their support was brilliant.
      Welch worked in the NHS’s business services authority for 17 years.
      She said: “I decided a couple of years ago to take a career break [from the NHS], just because I wanted to give football everything and I wanted to be in a position to, when I retire, sit back and say I gave it 100% and this was what I achieved.
      “Hopefully when I retire from refereeing I will return to the NHS and they’ll have me back.”
      Welch stepped away from a job with the NHS to work in footballCredit: Rex
      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag complains to WelchCredit: Rex
      Welch first officiated an EFL game in 2019
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      ‘I didn’t want to ref’
      It wasn’t Welch’s plan to become a referee.
      She actually fell into it by mistake, after sharing a joke with Uefa B ref, Lindsey Robinson, and soon began juggling her NHS job with Sunday league games in County Durham.
      “Lindsey used to ref some of our games when I played local football,” Welch told The Telegraph.
      “I used to say how refereeing is ‘so easy’ and how referees always get it wrong and she said ‘well if you think it’s that easy, go and do it’ and that was it.
      “Still with no real ambition to referee a game, I just thought I’d go and do the course and learn a bit more about the laws of the game. Then I picked up the whistle, did my first five games and I stopped playing to start being a referee.
      “It’s a role people look at and think ‘why would you want to be a referee?’ but actually the rewards you get out of it, it’s completely changed me as a person, it’s completely changed my life, for the better. It’s kind of gone in a whirlwind. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
      Respect
      This season, especially, the Premier League has seen a staggering rise of abuse for officials from players, managers, and taunting from the crowd.
      Welch, herself, faced alleged misogynistic chanting towards her during a Birmingham City game that saw two 17-year-old boys arrested.
      She feels respected by the players, and believes there is a difference between abuse and disagreeing with decisions.
      Welch believes she has earned the respect from the prosCredit: Getty
      Welch believes there is a difference between someone who is abusing you and someone who is disagreeing with your decisionCredit: Alamy
      “A lot of people think that as a referee I go out on a Saturday and for 90 minutes I get a torrent of abuse – that’s actually not true,” she said.
      “There’s a difference between somebody who is abusing you and somebody who is disagreeing with your decisions. I do feel respected by the players.
      Read more on The Sun
      “I think the abuse side of it is a different avenue and that’s something that fortunately I haven’t been privy to, in my 11 years. I’ve never had somebody come in and give me abuse just because I’m a female referee or abuse because I’m a referee.
      “I’ve had people disagree with me because of the nature of the job I do, but there are some people who have come under that [abuse] so we definitely need to do more work in that area to stop that happening as we move forward.” More

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      I was glad players chewed my ear off when I was the first female EFL ref… now I’m set to make Premier League history

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      REBECCA WELCH won’t relax until players give her stick when she becomes the Premier League’s first ever female referee.She was delighted when stars of Harrogate and Port Vale “chewed my ear off” as the first woman ref at EFL level in April 2021.
      Rebecca Welch was the first female ref in the EFL, then in January the first at Championship level, now she’s stepping up to make more historyCredit: Rex
      The whistler from County Durham has been reffing since 2010Credit: PA
      And when she takes charge of Fulham vs Burnley in the Prem on December 23 she just wants to be treated like any other ref.
      SunSport exclusively revealed the 40-year-old’s views on her historic League Two date at Harrogate two years ago.
      She said: “The players didn’t treat me any differently – they were still chewing my ear off as they went past.
      “That was nice because I was a bit afraid of them not being like that.
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      “You want players to go, ‘You got that one wrong, ref,’ or ‘It’s gone so well in the last 10 minutes’.
      “You need that and when I got it I felt normal and that I could just referee the game.”
      But it appears the whistler from Tyneside will not appreciate the massively-increased attention she’ll get from TV coverage in the Prem.
      After huge media interest at Harrogate she admitted: “I was sick of hearing the camera clicking, but it’s the nature of the beast.
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      “People say it went really well but, for me, it was just a normal game.”
      Speaking in a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, Welch added: “In 50 years I’ll be in the history books – it’s really nice but, yeah, it’s a game of football.
      “But I understand the bigger picture that it’s not about one game, it’s about inspiring the next generation to come through.”
      Welch’s big December date will be quickly followed by another one.
      Sam Allison has been confirmed as the first black ref in the top flight for 15 years.
      The ex-firefighter, 42, oversees Sheffield United vs Luton on Boxing Day.
      And PGMOL boss Howard Webb hailed both appointments.
      He said: “Both Rebecca and Sam were part of the development group that was created last year. They went through a selection process to be part of that.
      “Credit to them they have delivered good performances in the Championship this season and deserve their opportunities due to their quality and the talent that they have.
      Sam Allison will this month become the Prem’s first black ref for 15 yearsCredit: Getty
      “Of course it’s significant in terms of Rebecca being the first female to take the whistle in the Premier League, she was the fourth official a few weeks ago for the first time, and we have lots of talented female officials working in the game.
      “We have Kirsty Dowle taking charge of her first Football League game this weekend at Doncaster Rovers, she’s another Fifa-registered official.
      “I just hope that other people will see the success of these female officials, young girls and young women, and think that refereeing might be for them.
      “Sam being the first black referee in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie back in 2008, again we know he has performed well in the Championship this year at a consistent level and we are confident he will deliver a strong performance.
      Read more on The Sun
      “The profile of the game will serve as a role model for others in under-represented communities and that is undoubtedly a positive.
      “We need greater diversity because undoubtedly there is quality in all communities and previously for whatever reason we have not been able to bring people through from those groups and now it’s happening at last thankfully.” More