Being a referee within the Premier League is arguably one of many hardest jobs in soccer, with a choose group of officers commonly entrusted to take cost of prime flight fixtures.
Although VAR continues to be inflicting loads of controversy week in, week out, selections on the sphere are actually extra essential than ever, with know-how doing its greatest to try to not become involved until it’s ‘clear and apparent’.
The sport can also be arguably quicker than it’s ever been, so referees must be extraordinarily match and fast to react. However who’s the very best referee within the Premier League proper now?
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Premier League referees ranked (min. 3 video games) |
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Rank |
Ref |
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1 |
Anthony Taylor |
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2 |
Michael Oliver |
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3 |
Stuart Attwell |
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4 |
Craig Pawson |
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5 |
Jarred Gillett |
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6 |
Darren England |
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7 |
Chris Kavanagh |
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8 |
Simon Hooper |
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9 |
Andy Madley |
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10 |
Peter Bankes |
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11 |
Robert Jones |
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12 |
Michael Salisbury |
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13 |
Tony Harrington |
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14 |
Samuel Barrott |
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15 |
Thomas Bramall |
15
Thomas Bramall
One of many least skilled referees within the Premier League, Thomas Bramall was the person within the center that made an enormous mistake by disallowing Aston Vila’s purpose towards Man Utd on the ultimate day of the 2024/25 season.
That arguably value Villa a spot within the Champions League, however the PGMOL have caught with Bramall, who, at 35 years of age, seems to be a referee within the early phases of his prime flight profession.
14
Samuel Barrott
One of many card happiest referees within the Premier League, Samuel Barrott is likely one of the most inexperienced officers within the prime flight after making his debut in 2023/24.
He took cost of 23 video games in 2024/25, apologising for one mistake he made in Crystal Palace’s defeat to Brentford after wrongly ruling out Eberechi Eze’s free-kick.
13
Tony Harrington
Tony Harrington is among the many referees to common the least quantity of fouls awarded per 90, however that doesn’t make him a foul official.
He made his Premier League debut in 2021/22 however simply hasn’t been given an everyday run of video games within the prime flight. Harrington’s greatest tally of video games got here within the 2024/25 season the place he officiated 18 fixtures.
12
Michael Salisbury
Michael Salisbury has by no means been an everyday within the Premier League after taking cost of his first sport within the 2021/22 season.
He was on VAR responsibility and instructed referee Robert Jones to have a look at Josh King’s purpose towards Chelsea which was incorrectly dominated out. Salisbury was dropped by the PGMOL shortly after.
11
Robert Jones
Nottingham Forest aren’t the largest followers of Robert Jones, with Evangelos Marinakis’ facet lodging an official criticism towards the 38-year-old after a sequence of choices towards the Reds.
He was the primary Premier League referee to ever carry out a red-card rejection, nonetheless, a few of Jones’ selections are controversial and he averages awarding a penalty each three video games.
10
Peter Bankes
Peter Bankes has now reffed greater than 100 video games within the Premier League since 2019, nonetheless, the Merseyside-born official has commonly are available for criticism from followers.
Former referee Keith Hackett even mentioned Bankes appeared “out of his depth” in 2025 after a call he made in Man Utd’s conflict with Bournemouth.
9
Andy Madley
A FIFA licensed referee who has taken cost of the FA Cup ultimate, Andy Madley has taken cost of greater than 100 Premier League video games since 2017/18.
Extra lately, he has made some controversial selections, together with one between Everton and Man Utd which resulted in Toffees fan Tony Bellew calling him a “cheat”.
8
Simon Hooper
Typically blowing early as a substitute of permitting benefit, Simon Hooper has enraged Premier League gamers and managers in recent times.
An skilled prime flight official after making his debut in 2015, Hooper has typically are available for criticism and was truly injured on the finish of October in Liverpool’s defeat to Brentford, whereas he was additionally the person within the center in the course of the Reds’ controversial defeat at Tottenham in 2023.
7
Chris Kavanagh
Chris Kavanagh has been a sizzling matter of dialog in recent times, whether or not it’s for sending off Declan Rice for kicking the ball away or leaving Bruno Fernandes upset after he missed his penalty.
The Higher Manchester official has been on FIFA’s books since 2019 and is closing in on 200 Premier League matches on the age of 40.
6
Darren England
One other FIFA referee, Darren England caught the attention of the worldwide governing physique after two years as a Premier League official.
He was part of the VAR staff that someway incorrectly dominated out Luis Diaz’s purpose for offside in Liverpool’s defeat to Tottenham, however in recent times on the pitch, has been constant.
