Two Teenagers Arrested for Misogynistic Chants Directed at Female Referee
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Teenagers Arrested for Misogynistic Chants at Female Referee
During a football match, two 17-year-olds were arrested for allegedly directing misogynistic chants at Rebecca Welch, a 39-year-old female referee.
Background
Rebecca Welch was officiating Birmingham City’s home game against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
Arrest and Charges
The West Midlands police arrested the teenagers on suspicion of a public order offense after hearing the insulting chants directed at the referee.
A police spokesperson stated, “We’ve arrested two boys for misogynistic chanting at the female referee. Our officers heard the chants being directed at the official.”
Rebecca Welch: Breaking Barriers in Football Refereeing
Rebecca Welch, originally from Washington, Tyne and Wear, made history as the first woman to referee a Championship game. She began her career in football refereeing while working in the health service.
Welch started officiating university football matches and Sunday League games during her time as an NHS admin officer. While refereeing women’s university games was relatively easy, she faced challenges when officiating men’s Sunday division fixtures.
Conclusion
The arrest of the two teenagers for their misogynistic chants towards Rebecca Welch highlights the ongoing issue of sexism in football. It is crucial to address and eradicate such behavior to create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants in the sport.