Premier League referee Howard Webb retires after 25 years

Premier League referee Howard Webb has retired from his position after 25 years. Webb has accepted the newly created job of technical director for Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

Premier League referee Howard Webb has retired from his position after 25 years, the league announced Wednesday.

Webb has accepted the newly created job of technical director for Professional Game Match Officials Limited. His new job will include supervision and enforcement of standards for referees. From the Premier League: 

Webb will be responsible for overseeing the technical direction and standards that govern the on-field performance of PGMOL’s match officials. He will manage the PGMOL training programme and coaching system and will work extensively on the successful development programme that provides a pathway for referees from Level 3 through to the Select Group.

Webb said he is looking forward to helping teach the next generation of referees.

"Over the last five years in particular we have made huge strides in terms of our accuracy, fitness and professionalism. The current Select Group are the best referees this country has ever produced and I am thrilled that I not only get the chance to continue working with them but also the opportunity to help develop the next generation of Select Group officials.”

Webb, a FIFA elite referee, officiated two World Cups and two UEFA European Championships. In 2010, he refereed both the UEFA Champions League final and the World Cup final. 

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- Paul Palladino