Howard Webb ‘will announce losses of £900,000 at PGMOL’ – as referees chief ‘prepares to tell clubs’ they must increase budgets if they want the highest standard of officiating

PMGOL chief Howard Webb is set to announce losses of nearly £1millon at the body, according to a report.

The body, full name Professional Game Match Officials Limited, is responsible for refereeing matches in England, including the Premier League, but continues to bleed money and will post major losses again this year.

According to The Telegraph, losses of £379,000 last year have been adjusted to £1.8million, taking the total sum over the last three years to close to £3.4m.

Scrutiny is regularly aimed at the body, though increased transparency has been targeted with regular communication methods including explaining decisions in real-time on social media, trialling giving referees microphones during games and a regular referees show which Webb appears on to show and explain decisions.

There are, though, inconsistencies, with the report suggesting a camera would regularly disappear at one ground early on in the VAR era and that camera coverage is inconsistent from stadium to stadium in the top flight.

The main issues, though, are believed to be financial, with it also suggested that PGMOL have made plans to cover a potential tax bill from HMRC, which surrounds a debate over whether lower-league referees can be classed as self-employed. It has lasted a decade and has gone to the Supreme Court.

There continue to be complaints over refereeing standards in the league, with a decision overturned as recently as Evanilson being sent off against Manchester United last week.

There is, though, reportedly a belief from within that the standards have been high since Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham in late 2023 was incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Yet, with money being lost year on year, Webb is reportedly set to tell clubs that they must increase long-term budgets if they want the highest standard of officiating.

A recent introduction to the Premier League, meanwhile, is semi-automated offsides, which was introduced in April. So far, there have been no major complaints, but it is suggested that some officials are worried about the technology, which is provided by Genius Sports and uses different staff to Hawk-Eye.

That means there are concerns both on and off the field in terms of the body, from financial to the use of technology. 

Earlier this year, meanwhile, David Coote was sacked after he was videoed criticising Jurgen Klopp and admitted to taking drugs.

It is also reported that two psychologists for top referees left PGMOL at the start of the year and have not been replaced.