‘It’s a significant moment,’ says Kompany referee Rebecca Welch’s historic debut.
Rebecca Welch, the Premier League’s first female referee, was praised by both managers after officiating Burnley’s 2-0 win against Fulham.
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany extended his congratulations, as he had seconds after full time when he went to speak with the Washington official, prompting a huge smile. “I wanted to congratulate her because aside from the performance it’s a big moment,” Kompany went on to say. “And I said it’s not about the ref, it’s about the players, it’s about the coach when you’re in the game.” But, after the game, it’s safe to say that was a watershed moment, and here’s hoping for many more.
Related: No controversy, no yellow cards: Rebecca Welch becomes the first female Premier League referee.
“The best thing is always when people are judged on merit, but you have to start somewhere.” Congratulations; I am honored to be a part of this moment.”
When asked to describe Welch’s officiating, losing manager Marco Silva used only two words. “Normal performance,” he added, without criticizing the refereeing. Instead, he bemoaned his team’s dismal second-half performance.
Welch handed three yellow cards, two to Fulham and one to Burnley, in a game that pushed Kompany’s club out of the bottom three after their third win of the Premier League season. “We have to live for those moments,” the Belgian explained. “The growth of players is critical.” It takes some time.”
Burnley seized full control at the start of the second half, with longrange goals from Wilson Odobert and Sander Berge. “Fulham created chances in the first half, but in the key moments, especially in the second half, we remained calm, and that helped with the performance,” Kompany remarked. That provided us with an opportunity. We’ve had a lot of good performances, but it’s the outcomes that count.
“It was the players who managed the game so well, not me.” When things go wrong, I take the responsibility, therefore I have to give them credit. These players will only improve.”
“We’ve never really been short of confidence as a team,” said James Trafford, the goalkeeper who was brilliant in a tense first half for Burnley. “We have faith in the entire process.” The performances were there, and the outcomes were only a matter of time.”
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“We were not close enough at this level, and we were punished,” Silva explained. We were the best squad on the field in the first half. We really dominated the game. We should have scored, but we got off to a bad start in the second half. We didn’t deliver. Their player ran 30 yards without being challenged for their second goal. We must act immediately.”
