Exclusive: Keith Hackett calls for PGMOL closure amid ‘outrageous’ Howard Webb plan
PGMOL should be “closed down” after comments from Howard Webb over referee’s wages, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that a major review is needed of the organisation following the latest financial revelations.
It has been a challenging season for PGMOL, with referees coming under heavy scrutiny following a number of controversial decisions, both on the field and with VAR.
One such example came when Michael Oliver was the subject of extreme abuse after sending off Myles Lewis-Skelly as Arsenal beat Wolves earlier this season.
There has also been a delay in the introduction of the semi-automated offside technology, which failed to function when tested in the FA Cup match between Bournemouth and Wolves.
Now, it looks as the body for match officials will be facing more questions following the latest news on issues off the field.
Howard Webb issues PGMOL financial revelations
Amid those issues on the pitch, fresh revelations about the monetary situation at the PGMOL have now also come to light.
According to the Daily Mail, PGMOL chief Howard Webb recently told a meeting with EFL clubs that Premier League referees are currently paid an average of £240,000 per year.
As a result, the former official apparently made a plea for more funding, with the body apparently at risk of losing £23.1million in the next five years.
That has been attributed to inflation, and a training programme costing £10million that includes areas such as VAR.
Other issues are also said to have been highlighted during the metting, such as a “jobs for life” to those operating within PGMOL.
Hackett has previously called for a significant review into PGMOL over officiating standards, and believes even more action may be needed following these revelations.
Keith Hackett reacts to referee finance update
Speaking to Football Insider about the Mail report on wages for referees and the financial situation at PGMOL, Hackett said:
“If this article is factually correct then it is time for the PGMOL to be closed down. I am rather surprised and shocked that the earnings of referees operating at the professional level under the management structure of the Professional Game Match Officials, a company quoted at Companies House.
“The average salary of £240k, later changed to £180k, highlights how costs have escalated since my time in charge.
“The company turnover in my time in office was £5million. Latest accounts posted at Companies House 2023 indicate a turnover of £33million.
“The PGMOL plan to spend £10million on training is frankly outrageous. I suggest that the amount of expenditure needs to be accounted for and how much is being spent in Stockley Park where VAR performances have left much to be desired.
“Howard [Webb] is posting a potential loss of £23million over the next five years. Where is his business plan and projected expenditure?
“I made it clear that my plan put before the then Board of the PGMOL was to create a cadre of world class referees, that was achieved by the time I retired from the post.
“The Board of Directors need to confront Webb. The Board is made up of some experienced football business people: Richard Martin Glenn (Chairman), Jeremy Ambler, Trevor Birch, Anthony Scholes and Richard McDermott (Secretary).
“They need to frankly carry out a root and branch review of the organisation from top to bottom: job security cannot be guaranteed; appropriate HR warnings of dismissal need to be applied if no improvement; the coaching structure is frankly not delivering excellence; VAR delivery is not consistent, and the introduction of a revised performance analysis system (is needed).
“There should be no reason if Webb puts forward an appropriate business plan that the shortfall in finances cannot be resolved.
“However the organisation clearly is overloaded with administrators rather than the focused on improving quality. Finally I would be asking what is the reason for the delay in the Semi-Automated Offside system.”
With the Premier League and Championship set to return after the international break in the coming days, the actions of PGMOL will soon once again be under even closer review after these revelations.