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How many referees are in the UK?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 19, 2026

There are approximately 24,500 referees in England, most of whom officiate amateur Sunday league football, and the Football Association (FA) claimed last week that about 2,000 (8.2%) are minority ethnic.

How many referees are there in football UK?

However, at the semi-pro and professional level of the game, all matches will have four officials: the referee, two assistant referees and a fourth official. The assistant referees assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

How many referees are there in Premier League?

In June 2021, the Premier League announced four referee promotions and one assistant referee promotion ahead of the 2021–22 season. The list is composed of 22 referees and 28 assistant referees. (R)= set to retire as an on-field referee at the end of the 2021–22 season.

How many football referees are there?

American Football Referee or Official

During professional and college football, seven officials operate on the field. High school and other levels of football have other officiating systems. American football officials are commonly referred to as referees, but each has a title based on their position.

How many referee are there?

Football Official

An official is responsible for interpreting the rules of the game and enforcing them on the football field. Because of the size of a football field and the number of players on the field at once, there are seven referees for one game. The seven officials in an NFL game include: The Referee.

25 related questions found

Which referee spots the ball?

The alternate judge stands in the offensive backfield opposite the head referee, in the same position as an NFL umpire, while keeping the Big 12 umpire in his traditional position behind the defensive line. The alternate judge will also help spot the ball.

What is the C referee in football?

The position will be called center judge -- the new official will wear a “C” on his back --and be located in the offensive backfield opposite the referee.

What is the age limit for referees?

A referee must be at least 25 years old on 1 January to be eligible for International Referee listing nomination on that calendar year. An assistant referee is eligible at the age of 23 years. In 2016 maximum age limits for the list (45, or 38 for first-time listees) was dropped.

Why do referees wear stripes?

Olds decided that wearing stripes would be the best way to avoid confusion. He had a friend make him a black and white striped shirt, which he wore for the first time during the 1921 state basketball championships. Other referees saw his outfit and started copying it. The rest, as they say, is history!

What happens if the referee scores a goal?

If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded. If a referee signals a goal before the ball has passed wholly over the goal line, play is restarted with a dropped ball. The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner.

Who is England best referee?

1) Michael Oliver – 8/10. Hackett says: “Nominated by FIFA for the 2022 World Cup, he has shown a high level of decision-making accuracy this season. The foundation of his success and the reason why at Week 20 of the Premier League season he has received 15 referee appointments in total.

Is there any black football referees?

Out of less than 200 referees across the country's top seven divisions, just a handful are Black or Asian and only Sam Allison has made it to the referees' list for Leagues One and Two.

Who is the youngest referee in the Premier League?

At only 25 years of age, Michael Oliver became the youngest referee in Premier League history when he took charge of Birmingham City's clash with Blackburn Rovers in August 2010, and he has remained a top-flight official ever since.

Can a referee get a red card?

A red card for violent conduct may be issued because the assistant referee had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to the referee before play restarted.

How much do referees make UK?

Their salary can range from £48,000 to £200,000, as well as a yearly retainer worth £38,500 to £42,000. It is claimed that both assistant referees and video assistant referees earn a basic salary of £30,000 and another £850 per match.

HOW MUCH DO PL refs get paid?

According to TotalSportek and Sportingfree, the salaries for EPL refs can go up to $92,000 annually. In addition to a yearly retainer that ranges between $50,700 to $55,300 and $1,500 per game. Umpires officiating international matches in the UEFA and European leagues receive up to $263,000.

What does it mean when a ref throws his hat in the air?

If a referee notices a player steps out of bounds by his own decision then it is his job to throw his hat at the location in which the play stepped out. This is done to show that the player is now considered ineligible.

What are the things on referees hands?

What's the purpose of the black wristband worn by NFL referees? Greenwich, Conn. Farmer: Those wristbands are to remind officials of the down, where the ball should be spotted relative to the hash marks and even which team has possession. The wristband has a string on it that can be looped around a finger.

What do refs do?

A referee is an official, in a variety of sports and competition, responsible for enforcing the rules of the sport, including sportsmanship decisions such as ejection.

Who is the richest referee?

Mark Clattenburg

He is the highest-paid referee and according to some reports he has signed a contract with Saudi Arabia Football Federation and he gets $650,00 per season.

What is the maximum age for a Premier League referee?

"The retirement age of a referee was 48 back in 2000, but today, luckily, we don't have an age limit.

How do you become a referee?

Here are the steps that you can take to become a professional referee:

  1. Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent.
  2. Choose the sport you want to officiate.
  3. Obtain specific training.
  4. Complete state registration.
  5. Gain experience for career advancement.
  6. Become certified.

What is the S on college referee shirts?

Smitty Kicks Off NCAA Football Season As New Official Referee Uniform Supplier. Smitty Officials Apparel is now the Official Football Uniform Provider for all Division I, II and III NCAA conferences. When you flip on a college football game, the "S" will be visible on all on-field officials.

How many referees are needed for a game soccer?

But just as a reminder, a soccer game will usually comprise of 4 referees – the head referee, two assistant referees and a fourth official.