taking centre stage — rebecca welch will become the first female referee of a premier league game. brighton and west ham are hoping tojoin liverpool in bypassing the europa league playoff round with an immediate place in the last 16 — a possible prize tonight. seven wickets, but a bit of sunburn — england's bowlers have a tough first day of the women's test against india. also coming up on sportsday — a world champion, an olympic champion and pete the horse — they're all part of the international horse show in london this week. hello again. will come along to sportsday this evening. the premier league will have a female referee take charge of one of its matches for the first time. it represents another landmark along a path of growing influence of female officials in men's sport. joy neville has been doing it in rugby union since 2016. while at the last men's rugby league world cup, kasey badger made history by taking charge of a game. this summer, sue redfern made the breakthrough in men's cricket. she was a standing umpire in a county championship match. while in football, today's announcement comes after the trailblazing by stephanie frappart, the french referee who's been taking charge of men's games since 2019. all that has helped lead to rebecca welch making history in the match between fulham and burnleyjust before christmas. while on boxing day, sam allison will become the first black referee to take charge of a premier league game in 15 years. nesta mcgregor reports. from a job working in health care to taking care of top—flight football in england, rebecca welch, history maker. having already been part of a matchday team, when the ao—year—old former administrator takes charge of full of versus burnley on december 23, shall become the first woman to referee of premier league match. we've got some really talented female officials both in the men's game and the women's game. rebecca is leading that. really confident that she'll deliver again in the premier league and possibly be a really good role model for women and girls who may be my think refereeing is for them. there's quality in all communities. we're working hard to show that refereeing is for all, increasing our diversity, which has not been good enough.— increasing our diversity, which has not been good enough. other sports have already — not been good enough. other sports have already paid _ not been good enough. other sports have already paid the _ not been good enough. other sports have already paid the way _ not been good enough. other sports have already paid the way for- not been good enough. other sports| have already paid the way for female lead officials in men's elite sport. however, football has lagged a little, with stephanie making world cup history when she took charge of costa rica versus germany and qatar. still, welsh�*s appointment hasn't surprised the like of many including allison wade. how pivotal moment is this? ~ ., allison wade. how pivotal moment is this? ~ . , this? when i heard the news, i actually got — this? when i heard the news, i actually got goose _ this? when i heard the news, i actually got goose bumps. - this? when i heard the news, i j actually got goose bumps. this this? when i heard the news, i i actually got goose bumps. this is one of— actually got goose bumps. this is one of those big moments that people will look_ one of those big moments that people will look back on on 20, 30, 40, 50 years— will look back on on 20, 30, 40, 50 years and _ will look back on on 20, 30, 40, 50 years and say this was the first woman in_ years and say this was the first woman in the premier league to referea — woman in the premier league to referee. that's the key thing from a cultural_ referee. that's the key thing from a cultural perspective, to make it normal — cultural perspective, to make it normal. �* ., _ cultural perspective, to make it normal. �* ., ,._ ,,. cultural perspective, to make it normal. ~ normal. on boxing day, sam allison will become — normal. on boxing day, sam allison will become the _ normal. on boxing day, sam allison will become the first _ normal. on boxing day, sam allison will become the first black _ normal. on boxing day, sam allison will become the first black referee . will become the first black referee since 15 years ago at a time when video referrals has increased the scrutiny of officials. rebecca welch and sam allison may be hoping their achievements pass without and it's been a week of relative disappointment for the british teams in the final round of group stage matches in europe. those clubs who entered their matches with their future uncertain have fallen by the wayside, but there is a good deal less jeopardy in the europa league and conference league games tonight. joe lynskey is here to help us through it. liverpool to help us through it. started already. liverpool to hel us throu~h it. started alread . , ., and liverpool started already. they have and ou liverpool started already. they have and you look — liverpool started already. they have and you look at _ liverpool started already. they have and you look at the _ liverpool started already. they have and you look at the draw, _ liverpool started already. they have and you look at the draw, you - liverpool started already. they have and you look at the draw, you would say liverpool were probably favourites to win the competition. they will top their group. this final group stage match tonight. regardless of their result in brussels against union sg tonight, that's probably a good thing, because they're trailing 2—1 in belgium. they drew level through their young defender, but the lovely strike has put union sg in front. they still have some hope going through. they still have some hope going throu~h. �*, ., , they still have some hope going throu~h. ., , . through. liverpool's fate very much determined- _ through. liverpool's fate very much determined. brighton _ through. liverpool's fate very much determined. brighton and - through. liverpool's fate very much determined. brighton and west - through. liverpool's fate very much l determined. brighton and west ham are pretty comfortable, but wanted guarantee top spot. merit are pretty comfortable, but wanted guarantee top spot.— guarantee top spot. west ham to freiber: , guarantee top spot. west ham to freiberg. who — guarantee top spot. west ham to freiberg, who they _ guarantee top spot. west ham to freiberg, who they be _ guarantee top spot. west ham to freiberg, who they be in - guarantee top spot. west ham to| freiberg, who they be in germany backin freiberg, who they be in germany back in october. west ham know they're already through, but they need a draw to finish top. the interesting aspect of this stage of the competition is for both westtown and brighton, despite having already qualified, there is the added incentive of topping the group because the team that comes top will not play in another match until march. effectively qualifying match to get to the last 16, that will be against the teams that finish third in the champions league. for brighton, they're at risk, second in their group and playing marseilles at home. if they win, they can leapfrog to finish top. i will say this is a very good deal, but we _ i will say this is a very good deal, but we have — i will say this is a very good deal, but we have the ambition to reach the first— but we have the ambition to reach the first place on the table. these are prestigious things to finish at the top _ are prestigious things to finish at the top of— are prestigious things to finish at the top of the table, because we will play— the top of the table, because we will play two games left. we want to try to _ will play two games left. we want to try to wih~ _ will play two games left. we want to try to win. we always want to show our best. _ try to win. we always want to show our best. to — try to win. we always want to show our best, to do our best. there is a bit ofjeopardy fork rangers. they're in a good position, but not certain like many teams tonight. but not certain like many teams toniaht. , ., but not certain like many teams toniaht. , . ., , ., tonight. they have a very tough side. tonight. they have a very tough side- they _ tonight. they have a very tough side. they will _ tonight. they have a very tough side. they will go _ tonight. they have a very tough side. they will go to _ tonight. they have a very tough side. they will go to spain - tonight. they have a very tough side. they will go to spain to i tonight. they have a very tough l side. they will go to spain to face them with a group looking like this. the permutations mean they could finish first, second or third come this time. if they beat betis, they will go into the last 16. defeat puts them at risk of potentially dropping to second or third and missing out on the league. rangers would move down to the europa conference league.— would move down to the europa conference league. without wishing to bamboozle _ conference league. without wishing to bamboozle further, _ conference league. without wishing to bamboozle further, there - conference league. without wishing to bamboozle further, there is - conference league. without wishing to bamboozle further, there is an i to bamboozle further, there is an added element to tonight's aims, because they're notjust playing on behalf of themselves, on behalf of the entire league and english clubs in europe. the entire league and english clubs in euroe. , �* , ., in europe. yes, we'll try and exlain in europe. yes, we'll try and explain this. _ in europe. yes, we'll try and explain this. behind - in europe. yes, we'll try and explain this. behind every i in europe. yes, we'll try and - explain this. behind every result in the european competitions, there is a league table effectively that ranks the nations that each club represents. next season, the champions league is changing, it's growing and uefa is offering two extra places. those will go one each to the two nations to that finish in the top two of that coefficient league table. for the premier league, that would mean they would get a fifth champions league place for the team that finishes fifth. at the moment, england sits third in the moment, england sits third in the coefficient league table behind the coefficient league table behind the bundesliga and behind serie a. strangely, teams like manchester united, newcastle and tottenham may be looking at manchester city and liverpool and hoping they do well because that will increase england's chancesin because that will increase england's chances in that league table and therefore increase the chance of a fifth champions league place. it's not simple, but never is in the european competitions. that's the permutations of. in european competitions. that's the permutations of.— european competitions. that's the permutations of. i'm very impressed and very pleased _ permutations of. i'm very impressed and very pleased you _ permutations of. i'm very impressed and very pleased you mentioned - and very pleased you mentioned coefficient on sportsday. joe lynskey, reporting. mikel arteta has avoided punishment from the fa after his comments following arsenal's premier league defeat at newcastle last month. the arsenal boss called the decision not to rule out anthony gordon's winner an "embarrassment" and a "disgrace". the goal stood after three var checks and arteta was charged with misconduct, but the independent panel found it not to be proven. you're watching sportsday, live from the bbc sport centre. still to come — a rare collection indeed. panini creates a women's super league sticker album for the first time. some of those featured in that album will be playing tonight in the champions league. chelsea are taking on the only team with a 100% record in their group leaders hacken. the swedish side have won two out of two ahead of their trip to kingsmeadow. we've seen the way they played in the champions league. we know they'll call prog —— cause problems, particularly in transition. very atypical swedish team in the way they defend in a 4—1, 4—1. very efficient team in the tournament. had a good period in the champions league, but ourfocus is on ourselves. let's head to kingsmeadow now and speak to our reporter henry morean. henry, most would have assumed that chelsea would be the team out of these two that are top of the group, but haken are the ones to beat so far. they could go top of the group, but they know they're against the side that have confounded expectations. there league has finished, and they've an event played since last champions league —— they haven't played. they'll be ready for action. chelsea have a to bounce back. that defeat against arsenal was hugely disappointment know my disappointing. —— usually disappointment. disappointing. -- usually disappointment.- disappointing. -- usually disappointment. disappointing. -- usually disauointment. ., _ ., ., , disappointment. really strong words from emma hayes _ disappointment. really strong words from emma hayes about _ disappointment. really strong words from emma hayes about the - disappointment. really strong words from emma hayes about the racist . from emma hayes about the racist abuse that came laurenjames's way. what context is that provide one of the really important players in a really important game? she the really important players in a really important game?- the really important players in a really important game? she is a huge -la er for really important game? she is a huge player for any — really important game? she is a huge player for any side. — really important game? she is a huge player for any side, be _ really important game? she is a huge player for any side, be it _ playerfor any side, be it england or chelsea. certainly the support that's been shown by chelsea and emma hayes in the last couple of days whilst expecting will no doubt be affected to watch the game. she's going to be a vital part of the chelsea side that will be looking to get off the front foot quickly to ensure it can use the lights of lawrence james —— laurenjames. lawrence james —— lauren james. those chelsea supporters are coming into this absently desperate to show the support they have for their star players. the support they have for their star -la ers. , ., , the support they have for their star laers. , players. henry, really appreciate our players. henry, really appreciate yourtime- _ it was hot and hard work for the likes of lauren filer and the other england bowlers on day one of their test against india in mumbai. the home side finished on 410—7 with four batters making a half century. alex fletcher has more. stepping into somewhat unfamiliar territory, first test match in india since 2005, but no time needed to adapt. commentator: first since 2005, but no time needed to adapt. commentator: first strike for lauren bell adapt. commentator: first strike for lauren lhell and _ adapt. commentator: first strike for lauren bell and for _ adapt. commentator: first strike for lauren bell and for england. _ adapt. commentator: first strike for lauren bell and for england. lauren i lauren bell and for england. lauren bell really moving _ lauren bell and for england. lauren bell really moving the _ lauren bell and for england. lauren bell really moving the first - lauren bell and for england. lauren bell really moving the first opener, | bell really moving the first opener, there is no let up. kate crossed with a wicket of her own. striking 13 boundaries on her way to a top score of 69 for the hosts. as usual, sophie eccleston had her say, taking with a helping hand from bronze. india continued to pile on the runs with, and causing england to struggle. just when they run out of ideas, india's captain ran out of her crease. england failed to capitalise on that mistake. shama he etting in un dick —— unbeaten 60. —— hitting. alex fletcher, bbc news. so india will look to build on that first innings when play gets under way tomorrow. they'll have a big target in mind. lauren bell took the first wicket of the day one of two. the other wasjemimah rodrigues on her test debut, and bell was impressed with her and top scorer satheesh shubha. i think they batted really well today — i think they batted really well today. probably a tough day today, but i today. probably a tough day today, but i feel— today. probably a tough day today, but i feel like we can come back. it's but i feel like we can come back. its very— but i feel like we can come back. it's very impressive. i think they lroth— it's very impressive. i think they both batted really well and we had to work— both batted really well and we had to work very hard for this. england have had a good start to their second twenty20 international with the west indies in grenada. after winning the toss and choosing to bowl, jos buttler�*s team have limited the hosts to 127—4, taking the wickets of kyle mayers, nicholas pooran, shai hope and shimron hetmyer forjust 11 runs. spinners adil rashid and rehan ahmed have taken three of those. england of course are looking to draw level in the series after losing the first game in barbados. australia had the better of the first day of their first test these are the life page is dedicated to england's match. looking to level that series in the three match series and the t20 caribbean part of the tour. australia had the better of the first day of their first test against pakistan in perth finishing on 346—5. david warner intends to retire from test cricket after this three—match series, but showed he still has the appetite and skill to score runs at the highest level. it took him just 125 balls to reach his century — the 26th time he's reached three figures in tests. warner is now fifth on australia's list of all—time test run scorers. he finally went for 164 to aamerjamal, who ended up with two wickets. eddiejones has admitted he "felt terrible" about australia's world cup failure, but insisted he had no guilt about the process that saw him return as japan boss after stepping down from his post with the wallabies. at a press conference today, jones faced more questions about how and when he first made contact with the japanese rugby football union about replacing jamie joseph. ididn't do i didn't do an interview before the world _ i didn't do an interview before the world cup — i didn't do an interview before the world cup i— i didn't do an interview before the world cup. iwas _ i didn't do an interview before the world cup. i was asked _ ididn't do an interview before the world cup. i was asked by- i didn't do an interview before the world cup. i was asked by the - world cup. i was asked by the recruitment— world cup. i was asked by the recruitment agency— world cup. i was asked by the recruitment agency to - world cup. i was asked by the recruitment agency to share l world cup. i was asked by the i recruitment agency to share my experiences _ recruitment agency to share my experiences with— recruitment agency to share my experiences with them - recruitment agency to share my experiences with them on - recruitment agency to share myl experiences with them on japan, recruitment agency to share my - experiences with them on japan, and some _ experiences with them on japan, and some people — experiences with them on japan, and some people construed _ experiences with them on japan, and some people construed that- experiences with them on japan, and some people construed that as - some people construed that as interview _ some people construed that as interview it _ some people construed that as interview. it certainly - some people construed that as interview. it certainly wasn't. l some people construed that as i interview. it