Premier League referees are reportedly being prevented from officiating one-off matches in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Howard Webb speaks at the launch of FIFA’s anti-discrimination surveillance system at Wembley Stadium, west London, on May 12, 2015. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP, Getty Images)
Martin Ziegler reported in the Times that Howard Webb decided last October that PGMOL referees would only be given approval to officiate matches in Saudi Arabia and the UAE if there was an opportunity for development. That’s what it means.
In other words, while young referees may be allowed to go and referee in Saudi Arabia to gain experience, the Premier League’s top executives will be prevented from doing so.
Since this decision, no such one-off match requests have been made to PGMOL.
Manchester, United Kingdom: Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at the Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Karl Lesseen/Getty Images)
PGMOL had previously approved Michael Oliver to officiate matches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and Darren England and Dan Cook to undertake similar duties.
But from a fan perspective, it wasn’t a good thing. Manchester City is owned by the UAE’s vice president, and Newcastle United is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Understandably, supporters had questions about how referees could remain impartial when taking on side jobs from people close to the owners of Premier League clubs.
At least in the case of Oliver’s trip to Saudi Arabia, there was little chance of a conflict of interest. The Newcastle United fan has already been prevented from officiating matches.
However, Oliver’s work in the UAE certainly made headlines after his controversial decision to send off Leandro Trossard against Manchester City.
Manchester, England: Michael Oliver as referee shows Leandro Trossard of Arsenal a red card during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at the Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. Players react (conceal). (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Perhaps another motive for blocking these trips is financial, following PGMOL’s loss in its case against HMRC in the Supreme Court last week.
As HMRC considers referees to be employees of PGMOL rather than freelancers, PGMOL will now be responsible for their tax liability. Therefore, it would be in their best interest to prevent umpires from working in other leagues.
The end result is the same either way. Looks like Oliver and the others. From now on, I will have to concentrate on my main job.
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