Football needs more female referees

In his 1992 football memoirs, Fever Pitch, Nick Hornby remarks on the ‘maleness of it all’. Rebecca Welch’s appearance yesterday as a referee in a Football League match between Harrogate Town and Port Vale is a sign of how much things have changed. 

It is not surprising, however, that there are sceptics. After all, we live by a creed which demands we promote women because of their sex and makes heretics of those who describe any feature of that sex. But Welch’s performance made it clear that female referees in the men’s game are a good idea. 

First, the players seemed to afford her greater respect than they might otherwise to an official. This was most apparent after an incident in the 23^rd minute. Welch waved on play after a Vale defender tripped Town striker Connor Hall from behind in the penalty area. When Hall began to remonstrate with Welch shortly afterwards, his own teammate Thomson pulled him away, despite it looking a good claim.