April 5 – British referees have invariably commanded global respect but none will take part in this year’s World Cup in Russia, the first such absence in 80 years.
The list of 36 referees and 63 assistant referees published byFIFA last week confirmed officials from 46 countries but none from England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The United States, with two referees and two assistants, was best represented.
Video assistant referees, who will be used for the first time at a World Cup when the tournament starts on June 14, will be chosen from the pool of named officials.
England’s Mark Clattenburg, who refereed the 2016 European championship final between hosts France and Portugal, had been on FIFA’s early list but he left the Premier League last season for a job in Saudi Arabia.
“It is a disappointment, because we pride ourselves on the international games that our referees have had over the years,” Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) boss Mike Riley, whose organisation is responsible for appointing officials at top-flight level domestically, told Sky.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713269596labto1713269596ofdlr1713269596owedi1713269596sni@w1713269596ahsra1713269596w.wer1713269596dna1713269596