Full List of Premier League Referees Reportedly Barred From Officiating Certain Clubs
Premier League referees face enormous pressure every time they step onto the pitch, with millions of fans watching their every decision. However, their job becomes even more complicated when personal loyalties and connections to particular clubs come into play.
Although officials are expected to remain neutral, some are prevented from refereeing matches involving certain teams because of their club allegiances, hometown connections or potential conflicts of interest.
Here is a look at the Premier League referees reportedly restricted from officiating specific clubs and the reasons behind those restrictions.
1. Michael Oliver
Clubs: Newcastle United and Sunderland
Michael Oliver is one of the most recognisable referees in English football, and his decisions regularly attract intense scrutiny from supporters.
Despite facing criticism over several high-profile decisions, including the red card shown to Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly in January 2025, Oliver is not barred from officiating Arsenal matches.
However, the 40-year-old cannot referee Newcastle United or Sunderland because of his personal connection to the Magpies. Having grown up in Ashington, around 20 miles from St James’ Park, Oliver is a Newcastle supporter. His allegiance also rules him out of matches involving the club’s fierce rivals, Sunderland.
2. Jarred Gillett
Clubs: Liverpool and Everton
Australian-born referee Jarred Gillett has established himself in the Premier League, but his support for Liverpool means he cannot officiate matches involving the Reds.
He has not refereed a game at Anfield during his Premier League career and has also avoided serving as a VAR official in Liverpool matches.
The same restriction applies to Everton, given the intense rivalry between the two Merseyside clubs.
Gillett has also faced questions about how frequently he has been involved in Arsenal fixtures. In September 2025, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett criticised his repeated appointments involving the Gunners, arguing that the number of assignments was excessive.
3. Craig Pawson
Clubs: Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday
Craig Pawson’s connection to Sheffield football prevents him from officiating matches involving either Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday.
The 47-year-old grew up in Sheffield and supports Sheffield United, meaning he cannot referee games involving his boyhood club.
The rivalry between the Blades and Wednesday also rules him out of officiating matches involving the Owls.
Although neither team is currently in the Premier League, Sheffield United’s previous spells in the top flight have made the restriction relevant.
4. Stuart Attwell
Club: Luton Town
Stuart Attwell is another referee whose personal allegiance has affected his officiating appointments. As a Luton Town supporter, he is not permitted to referee matches involving the Hatters.
Attwell also came under scrutiny during Luton’s battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League, when accusations emerged concerning his VAR involvement in a Nottingham Forest versus Everton fixture.
Some critics questioned whether his support for Luton could have influenced decisions that affected Forest, who were also fighting to remain in the division.
However, Attwell has not been officially banned from Nottingham Forest matches, even though he has reportedly not officiated at the City Ground or served as a VAR official in their games since the controversy.
Other Premier League Referees With Club Restrictions
Several other officials are also reportedly prevented from refereeing matches involving particular clubs.
Peter Bankes, Rob Jones, Darren Bond and Michael Salisbury are among the referees said to be restricted from officiating Liverpool matches.
Bond also cannot referee Wigan Athletic games because he supports the club.
Former referee Anthony Taylor, who is based in Manchester, was able to officiate matches involving Manchester United and Manchester City because he supports non-league side Altrincham.
Chris Kavanagh, a supporter of non-league Droylsden, can also referee both Manchester clubs despite his Greater Manchester connections. Tony Harrington’s support for Hartlepool United similarly prevents him from officiating his favoured team.
The Maddley brothers, Andrew and Bobby, would only be eligible to referee Huddersfield Town matches if neither had a conflicting allegiance to the club.
Darren England, who was born in Barnsley, is also restricted from officiating matches involving his local side.
Swindon Town have two further connections to the list. Simon Hooper was born in Swindon, while Graham Scott grew up supporting the club, preventing both officials from taking charge of their matches.
The restrictions are intended to protect the impartiality of match officials and avoid potential conflicts of interest in professional football.
