Jamie O’Hara furiously clashed with Jason Cundy on referees earning an average of £240,000 a year and calling for more.
Referees’ chief Howard Webb has informed EFL clubs that Premier League match officials rake in nearly a staggering quarter of a million pounds annually.
In a surprising presentation, the PGMOL leader revealed the significant financial burden these top-flight referees place on the system – this amount is nearly double the salaries of their counterparts in the Championship.
Furthermore, it has come to light that Webb made an urgent appeal for increased funding, warning that if this trend continues, the referees’ organisation could face a crippling loss of £23.1 million over the next five years.
Ex-Tottenham midfielder O’Hara aired his anger with Webb’s desperate plea on the Sports Bar alongside co-host Cundy.
“Paying refs more money, you’re going to get better refs… that’s a load of rubbish,” O’Hara said.
“I’m guessing the money will be invested into coaching, training that sort of thing,” Cundy replied.
“It says they’re raking it in. £240,000 a year,” O’Hara said, referencing the reports.
“That’s not a lot by the way. That’s nothing. I think they’re underpaid,” Cundy replied.
“Are you winding me up? They run around with a whistle,” O’Hara said in disbelief.
“They’re making big decisions,” Cundy said.
“I think it’s too much,” O’Hara shot back.
“What should they get?” Cundy asked.
“£150,000 a year, 120? What’s that, £10,000 a month” O’Hara replied.
Cundy remained unimpressed by O’Hara’s argument, who then shouted: “They’re a referee! What’s going on here?
“We’re paying referees 250 grand a year!? To let VAR do it and still get it wrong.
“240 grand a year to be a referee is a lot of dough, by the way; you can’t sit here and say that’s not a lot of money. It’s 20 grand a month to be a bang-average ref; do me a favour,”
O’Hara was then asked if he would turn to refereeing for that sort of money.
“Of course, I would; there are a lot of things I’d do for £240k a year,” O’Hara said with a smile, leaving Cundy in stitches.
“Do you know how hard it is for the normal person to go out and earn 240 grand a year?” O’Hara said.
“I’m not saying it isn’t,” said Cundy.
“You’ve got a ref who can’t get a decision right earning a quarter of a million pounds a year, and Howard Webb has got the cheek to come out and say they want more money!” O’Hara said, slamming his papers down on the desk.
“I’m sick to death of PGMOL; who made this up?”
Webb’s presentation that caused so much unrest on Sports Bar is said to have detailed what could swiftly turn into a grim financial situation for the future of refereeing.
A series of pressing issues emerged, including a troubling ‘blocked system’ that perpetuates a culture of ‘jobs for life.’
In the Championship, referees earn roughly £120,000, and assistants about £110,000. Development group officials in Leagues One and Two receive around £30,000.
PGMOL’s operating costs are said to have risen significantly, from £16m to an expected £33.7m in eight years. With an income of £31.2m, a £2.5m deficit is forecast this year, potentially leading to a £23.1m loss over the next five years without further investment.
Funding comes from the Premier League (£17.4m), FA (£4.2m), EFL (£7m), and Women’s Professional League (£1m).
The PGMOL also faces a potential £600,000 bill from HMRC following a Supreme Court defeat regarding part-time officials.
Looking ahead, the PGMOL proposes merging Select Groups One and Two and implementing ‘managed exits’ to foster a high-performance culture and improve sustainability.
A low turnover rate due to a perception of ‘jobs for life’ is also a concern, hindering the progression of new referees.
