- Premier League referees earn an average annual salary of £240,000 – twice as much as those in the Championship
- Operational costs for the referees’ association have more than doubled over the past eight years, reaching £33.7 million
- PGMOL could face a £23 million deficit in the next five years if funding remains unchanged
Key Takeaways:
Premier League referees receive average annual salaries of £240,000, according to a presentation by English refereeing chief Howard Webb to clubs. This amount is twice the average received by referees officiating in the Championship. Webb explained that 21 top-level referees in the first group take home around £240,000 per year, while 18 referees in the second tier receive an average of £110,000. Meanwhile, 29 officials who cover matches in League One and League Two are paid approximately £30,000 annually.
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⚽ Howard Webb says top-flight refs make £240,000 a year
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He further warned that combined with inflation and roughly £10 million annually for training—including VAR-related improvements—the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) could face losses of around £23 million over the next five years unless the current level of funding increases. Webb also highlighted that the operational costs of the referees’ body have doubled over the past eight years, rising from £16 million to £33.7 million.
At present, the PGMOL receives £17.4 million from the Premier League, £4.2 million from the FA, £7 million from the English Football League, and £1 million from the Women’s Professional League.