Referees’ boss Howard Webb has told EFL clubs that Premier League match officials are earning an average of £240,000-a-year.
In a revealing presentation, the PGMOL chief disclosed that top-flight refs are costing the business close to a quarter of a million pounds – which is double what those in the Championship are paid.
It can also be revealed that Webb made a plea for more funding and warned that should the situation not change the refs’ body will lose £23.1MILLION over the next five years.
Officials have blamed inflation and an enhanced support system now in place for refs for the predicted shortfall, with an additional £10m per year spent on a training programme which focuses on a number of areas including VAR.
Within what was an upfront brief to EFL clubs across all three divisions, Webb outlined what could quickly become a bleak financial picture.
The highly-regarded, 53-year-old former World Cup Final official was accompanied by chief operating officer Danielle Every. He outlined that extra investment in recent times has seen an improvement in refereeing standards. However, a series of issues were identified including a ‘blocked system’ which includes ‘jobs for life’.
Premier League official’s earn an average salary of £240,000 per year. Pictured: Michael Oliver
Referees’ boss Howard Webb gave a revealing presentation on PGMOL finances to EFL clubs
Webb revealed that top-flight refs, including Anthony Taylor (left) and Chris Kavanagh (right) are costing the business close to double what those in the Championship are paid
Within the presentation Rotherham-born Webb told clubs that Select Group Referees, of whom there are 21, are expected to earn an average salary of £240,000 this season. However, officials have since attempted to clarify, pointing out that the figure of £240,000 is actually the total cost to PGMOL including National Insurance, match fees and performance bonuses and have claimed that a salary of £180,000 is more commonplace.
In the Championship, Webb said that the 18 Select Group Two Referees will get around £120,000, with assistant referees on £110,000.
He added that the 29 members of the ‘development group’, which officiate in Leagues One and Two, are paid around £30,000.
Webb outlined that PGMOL’s operating costs have doubled in eight years from £16m to a forecasted £33.7m this year. Set against an income of £31.2m, they are projecting a deficit of £2.5m at the end of the year.
Should current levels of funding continue, PGMOL is estimating a loss of £23.1m over the next five years.
The group receives around £17.4m from the Premier League, £4.2m from the FA, £7m from the EFL and £1m from the Women’s Professional League Limited. It is thought the Premier League will also be asked for increased backing.
The looming prospect of an outcome in PGMOL’s case with the tax man was also included in the presentation. Last year, the refs body lost a Supreme Court battle with HMRC over whether part-time officials should be classed as employees during two seasons a decade ago and could face a bill of around £600,000.
PGMOL are also proposing a merger of select groups one and two, a series of ‘managed exits’ over the next 18 months. They are seeking to address historical challenges and introduce a ‘high performance system/culture’ along with improved standards on and off the pitch and a more credible, sustainable PGMOL.
The referees’ governing body receives around £17.4m from the Premier League, £4.2m from the FA, £7m from the EFL and £1m from the Women’s Professional League Limited
A lack of ‘churn’ was also highlighted as an area for concern amid a perception of ‘jobs for life’, with a rate of just 3 per cent between 2018 and 2024 compared with an ideal rate of 10 per cent per year, which would allow younger refs to move up the ladder.
The reaction to the presentation was viewed as ‘mixed’, according to insiders. While some of Webb’s points were accepted, there is a desire to ensure that any extra allocated funds are spent on improving performance rather than bureaucracy.
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