Select Group

The Select Group is a panel of English professional football referees and assistant referees, appointed by Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). The group was first formed in 2001, when England became the first country to use fully professional referees in its top flight.^[1]

In August 2024, the PGMO shared updates to the Select Group officiating panels.

Furthermore, in August 2024, the retirement of Rebecca Welch was announced. She will become the manager of the Select Group Women's Professional Game at the PGMO. In December 2024, David Coote was sacked from the PGMO, removing him from the Select Group 1 referees list.

There are 19 Select Group 1 referees, 29 Select Group 1 assistant referees, 17 Select Group 2 referees, and 39 Select Group 2 assistant referees.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

In summer 2023 and summer 2024, the PGMOL provided updates on the promotions of match officials.

There are 17 Women's Super League referees, 30 Women's Super League assistant referees, 24 Women's Championship referees, and 34 Women's Championship assistant referees, although some officials hold dual roles.^[7][4]

Among the various Select Group officiating panels, there are 16 referees, 19 assistant referees, and 10 video match officials on the 2025 FIFA International List, although some hold dual roles.

All officials, except for Cheryl Foster and Ceri Williams, are listed as English representatives—Foster and Williams are listed as Welsh representatives.^[8]

Some former and current Select Group officials have overseen major international final matches, including: 2 World Cup finals, an Olympic final, 2 European Championship finals, and 5 Champions League finals.

Assistant referee Phil Sharp was a part of the team for the 2002 FIFA World Cup final.^[9]

Assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis was a part of the officiating teams for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 final and the 2018 UEFA Women's Champions League final.^[10][11]

Howard Webb adjudicated the 2010 UEFA Champions League final and subsequently the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. Webb was supported on both occasions by assistant referees Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey.^[12][13]

Mark Clattenburg supervised the 2012 Olympic final, the 2016 UEFA Champions League final, and subsequently the UEFA Euro 2016 final. The assistant referees that supported Clattenburg during these finals, were: Simon Beck, Steve Child, and Jake Collin.^[14][15][16]

Anthony Taylor officiated the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final, and the 2023 UEFA Europa League final. For each final, Taylor was supported by assistant referees Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn.^[17][18][19]

Michael Oliver refereed the 2022 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt. He was assisted by Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett.^[20]

Cheryl Foster oversaw the 2023 UEFA Women's Champions League final between Barcelona and Wolfsburg.^[21]

Rebecca Welch officiated the 2024 UEFA Women's Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon. She was assisted by Natalie Aspinall and Emily Carney.^[22]

These officials made it to Select Group 2, but not Select Group 1.

• Professional Referee Organization