Exclusive: Hugh Dallas in talks to replace Martin Atkinson at PGMOL
Hugh Dallas is in talks to join the Professional Game Match Officials Limited and replace the outgoing Martin Atkinson, sources have told Football Insider.
Former Scottish ref Dallas is a close ally of PGMOL chief Howard Webb and is said to be the favourite to succeed Atkinson.
Atkinson had been working as the Select Group Manager at the PGMOL but will be departing the role in early December to become the Scottish FA’s new VAR manager.
That will leave an opening in the PGMOL which Dallas could now fill, after stints working for the Scottish FA and the Turkish Football Federation.
Dallas had been the Referee Development Officer for the Scottish FA and also had a long career as an on-field referee in Scotland before retiring from that aspect of the game.
Dallas will work closely with Webb, who has been working tirelessly to improve the overall standard of refereeing in England during his time in charge of the PGMOL.
The pressure will be on Hugh Dallas from fans in this role
The 66-year-old will be under scrutiny from fans and pundits if he takes up a role in the PGMOL, with this aspect of the game being heavily analysed and commented on nowadays.
Dallas had been working during Euro 2024 as a referee supervisor and has extensive experience.
However, the PGMOL has come under fire throughout the season for various VAR decisions that have been made in games.
During Sunday’s (3 November) game between Man United and Chelsea there was more VAR controversy as pundits claimed Lisandro Martinez should’ve been sent off for a foul on Cole Palmer.
In other news, Man United ‘leak’: Stefan Borson responds to INEOS ‘getting rid.’
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