Premier League to launch scheme to improve standard and diversity of referees

A new development scheme is being launched to improve the standard and diversity of refereeing

The Premier League are to set announce the launch of a new development scheme which has been designed to improve the standard of refereeing in the top flight. As revealed by The Athletic, the ‘Elite Referee Development Plan’ was first presented during a shareholders' meeting last week. A spokesperson for the league said: "There are many ideas being looked at as part of a draft plan to develop and enhance refereeing at the elite level. The plan is a work in progress with a number of different improvement areas being explored. "It was initially discussed with clubs last week and we will continue to work with PGMOL and the Professional Game Board before any proposals are agreed. "Similar to EPPP, the main priority is and will always be to create more and better home grown match officials with greater support and a strong performance culture." The Premier League's chief executive officer, Tony Scholes, has been working alongside the Football Association, English Football League Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in order to develop the scheme. The plan has been implemented in order to establish a new global standard in both match officiating and development and will be used as a way to silence critics who have taken aim at the standard of refereeing in the country. Some of the other aims include trying to increase the number of English referees during major tournaments after no English referee officiated at the 2018 World Cup - the first time that had happened for 80 years. The Premier League also want to increase the number of referees from different ethical backgrounds, with no Black or Asian official taking charge of a top flight game for over a decade. Related links:

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