Select Group Explained

The Select Group is a panel of English professional football referees and assistant referees, appointed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). The group was first formed in 2001, when England became the first country to use fully professional referees in its top flight.[1]

Select Group officials

In August 2024, the PGMOL shared updates to the Select Group officiating panels.

There are 21 Select Group 1 referees, 31 Select Group 1 assistant referees, 21 Select Group 2 referees, and 33 Select Group 2 assistant referees.[2] [3] [4]

Select Group 1 referees

Select Group 1 assistant referees

Select Group 2 referees

Select Group 2 assistant referees

Women's Select Group officials

In summer 2023 and summer 2024, the PGMOL provided updates on the promotions of match officials.

There are 18 Women's Super League referees, 35 Women's Super League assistant referees, 24 Women's Championship referees, and 32 Women's Championship assistant referees, although some officials hold dual roles.[5] [4]

Women's Super League referees

Women's Super League assistant referees

Women's Championship referees

Women's Championship assistant referees

FIFA international match officials

There are 16 referees, 19 assistant referees, and 11 video match officials on the 2024 FIFA International List, although some hold dual roles.[6]

Referees

Assistant referees

Video match officials

Notable international appointments

Some former and current Select Group 1 officials have overseen major international final matches.

Former Select Group 1 assistant referee Phil Sharp was a part of the team for the 2002 FIFA World Cup final.[7]

Howard Webb adjudicated the 2010 UEFA Champions League final and subsequently the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. Webb was supported on both occasions by assistant referees Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey.[8] [9]

Mark Clattenburg has supervised the 2012 Olympic final, the 2016 UEFA Champions League final, and subsequently the UEFA Euro 2016 final. The assistant referees that supported Clattenburg during these finals, were: Simon Beck, Steve Child, and Jake Collin.[10] [11] [12]

Anthony Taylor has officiated the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final, and the 2023 UEFA Europa League final. For each final, Taylor was supported by assistant referees Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn.[13] [14] [15]

Michael Oliver refereed the 2022 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt. He was assisted by Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett.[16]

Rebecca Welch oversaw the 2024 UEFA Women's Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon. She was assisted by Natalie Aspinall and Emily Carney.[17]

Former Select Group officials

Referees

Assistant referees

Select Group 2

These officials made it to Select Group 2, but not Select Group 1.

Referees

Assistant referees

See also

Promotion and retirement links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ralston . William . The impossible job: inside the world of Premier League referees . The Guardian . 22 March 2023 . 21 March 2023.
  2. Web site: The full list of referees and assistant referees for the 2024/25 #PL season..
  3. Web site: Here’s the full list of our Select Group 2 match officials for the 2024/25 #EFL season.
  4. Web site: We are delighted to confirm the list of match officials who will be operating at higher levels across the men's and women's professional game for the 2024/25 season..
  5. Web site: The Select Group Women's Professional Game for the 2023/24 #BarclaysWSL & #BarclaysWC season..
  6. Web site: FIFA International list of Match Officials.
  7. Web site: FIFA World Cup.
  8. Web site: Webb gets Madrid assignment. 20 May 2010 .
  9. News: Howard Webb given honour of refereeing World Cup final. The Guardian . 8 July 2010 .
  10. Web site: Mark Clattenburg to referee men's Olympic final.
  11. Web site: Clattenburg to referee Champions League final. 10 May 2016 .
  12. Web site: Clattenburg named referee for UEFA EURO 2016 final. 8 July 2016 .
  13. Web site: English Ref Anthony Taylor and His Team to Take Charge of Spain V France in Milan.
  14. Web site: English officials get Club World Cup Final call-up.
  15. Web site: Referee teams appointed for 2023 UEFA club competition finals. 22 May 2023 .
  16. Web site: Michael Oliver to referee 2022 UEFA Super Cup with Semi-Automated Offside Technology to be introduced. 3 August 2022 .
  17. Web site: Referee teams for 2024 UEFA club competition finals announced. 13 May 2024 .