Beyond the Whistle: The PGMOL’s Impact on The Premier League

The PGMOL (Professional Game Match Official Limited) was founded in 2001 to improve refereeing standards in English football. Although the group aims to promote fairness and consistency in English football by enhancing referee training programs and clarifying controversial decisions, it is often criticized by players, managers, and fans alike for frequently making errors which prove extremely costly in a league as competitive as the Premier League. A striking example of a costly refereeing error was during Liverpool’s highly contested match against Tottenham Hotspur in 2023: a clear onside goal by Liverpool winger Luis Díaz was wrongfully disallowed. Initially, the on-field referees ruled this goal offside. The decision went to VAR (Video Assistant Referee), who requested to overturn the on-field decision, concluding that Díaz was onside. However, because of a miscommunication between the VAR team and the on-field referee, the original decision stood, and the goal was ruled offside. Liverpool ended up losing the match 2-1, and later the title at the end of the season. Every point matters in the Premier League, and considering Liverpool was firmly in the title race, this mistake may have cost them the title. 

The introduction of VAR attempted to address various refereeing inconsistencies, but has instead sparked even more debate about the integrity of officiating in English football. VAR was introduced to the Premier League in 2019 in an effort to overturn “clear and obvious errors” made by officials in real time, allowing referees to review key decisions using video footage without significantly disrupting the flow of the game. VAR can be used in four different situations: goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity. However, VAR’s supposed ability to only intervene if a “clear and obvious error” has been made has sparked great controversy over the years. For example, in January of 2025, Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal was wrongfully sent off in a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The decision to give Skelly a red card was controversial, with fans believing that VAR should have overturned the on-field call. VAR not intervening in this situation has made fans question its usefulness, with many believing that VAR should be given more freedom to step in for close calls like these. The red card was overturned after the match, and though Arsenal was fortunate not to drop points against Wolves, the entire situation highlights the concerns fans, players, and managers have been sharing since VAR’s inception. The limited use of VAR and the time taken for each review are clear issues the PGMOL has to address to ensure more consistent officiating.

In response to the ongoing criticism, the PGMOL has taken steps to try and improve both the refereeing process and the technology used. The group has offered more training for referees, and even a new program, airing on Sky Sports, that aims to offer more insight into the refereeing process and review controversial decisions. The program, “Match Officials: Mic’d Up,” features former referee and PGMOL chief Howard Webb and former player Michael Owen. The program also offers access to previously unreleased footage, including the audio of discussions between referees and players. These additions by the PGMOL have made officiating more transparent and offers fans a more informed view of how officiating decisions are made.

Despite these efforts from the PGMOL to improve officiating, one underlying issue has remained: pressure. Referees endure an immense amount of pressure, being under constant scrutiny from the footballing world. Though it’s ultimately a part of the job, it’s still extremely difficult to bear. David Coote, a former Premier League referee, experienced the emotional load referees often face, reminding the footballing world that referees are humans as well. Coote was involved in a controversy with former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, where Coote—seemingly under the influence—called Klopp an explicit in a leaked video, which eventually led to his sacking. While the video further fueled criticism against refereeing, there was much more to the story.

In an interview with the Sun, Coote opened up about his mental wellbeing, substance abuse, and decision to come out as gay. Coote revealed that keeping his sexuality hidden for years impacted his mental health greatly and ultimately contributed to him going down the path of substance abuse. Given the fear of further scrutiny because of his sexuality and the added pressure of being a referee, Coote described his emotional state as a “pressure cooker.” Coote’s personal problems with his mother suddenly passing away, combined with the diagnosis of his uncle with a motor neuron disease shortly after, added even more stress to an already tough situation. Coote, having to referee while enduring all this, acts as an example of the heavy mental load referees take on.

Coote’s struggles highlight the internal pressure many referees face, an issue further exacerbated by constant criticism of the officiating on display. Every decision referees make is under scrutiny by fans and managers. For instance, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, after what he believed to be a poor decision by the referee, called the decision “a disgrace.” This wasn’t a one-off incident; during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool manager Arne Slot appeared visibly frustrated with referee John Brook’s decisions. Slot’s public display of disapproval further added to the pressure referees face, making their jobs even more difficult. However, despite these vocal criticisms expressed by managers, it’s not fair to put all the blame on them. Criticizing referees may be a way for managers to deflect criticism away from themselves and their team, with the standard of officiating an easy target to shift the blame onto. 

Fortunately, the PGMOL has recognized these pressures, having made efforts to provide mental health support for referees: the organization offers counseling to referees to help manage the immense emotional load of their positions as referees. However, the pressure referees experience isn’t unique to just the Premier League, with referees of all sports enduring immense pressure. It’s essential that across all sports, mental health support is accessible for all referees, helping to reduce the stress they face. Organizations like the PGMOL should continue to prioritize these mental health initiatives, allowing referees to officiate effectively without compromising their mental health.