THE PREMIER League’s first female referee Rebecca Welch will take charge of Cherries’ FA Cup tie with Queens Park Rangers.

Cherries visit Loftus Road in the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow afternoon (3pm), with Welch in the middle with the whistle.

After refereeing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last summer, Welch has officiated League Two, League One, and Championship fixtures this term, before being appointed to referee Fulham’s 2-0 defeat at home to Burnley on Saturday, December 23.

That saw Welch become the first ever female referee to take charge of a men’s top-flight fixture in England.

In five Championship fixtures this season, she has dished out 25 yellow cards, and sent one player off.

Referee: Rebecca Welch (Washington).

Assistants: Stuart Burt (Oxfordshire) and Daniel Cook (Hampshire).

Fourth Official: Tom Reeves (Birmingham).