Clubs consider bringing foreign referees to Premier League | OneFootball

The Premier League will support in-stadium VAR communication, with clubs pushing to allow Europe’s top officials to referee domestic games.

Arsenal’s Jorginho (L) speaks with referee Anthony Taylor during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Premier League are set to vote on the continued use of VAR next month, but in the meantime, the league are pushing for a couple of changes to refereeing in the division.

The Daily Mail report that the league will support the swift introduction of in-stadium VAR communication, assuming VAR is still in use.

But on top of that, some clubs are privately considering a push to appoint top foreign referees to Premier League games.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Referee Robert Jones during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The Mail report that similar proposals have previously been shot down by the Premier League and PGMOL, but at least three clubs now believe it would provide a positive step forward.

That raises the possibility that it could be discussed at the June AGM, potentially garnering more support.

The vast majority of Premier League referees are English, with rare exceptions like Australian Jarred Gillett, who primarily moved to the country to continue his studies at Liverpool John Moores University.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND: Referee Jarred Gillett gestures during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on August 27, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Yet it does seem strange that Premier League football pitches are packed with top talent from all over the world, whilst the referees are almost exclusively from just one country.

To truly allow the league to be the best around, you’d think removing limits on the pool of officials would be a positive step. Perhaps even a necessary step.

The June 6th AGM looks set to have a heavy focus on refereeing, and the outcomes of the meeting could prove to be very significant for the future of the division.