Being a referee in the Premier League is arguably one of the toughest jobs in football, with a select group of officials regularly entrusted to take charge of top flight fixtures.
Even though VAR is still causing plenty of controversy week in, week out, decisions on the field are now more important than ever, with technology doing its best to try and not get involved unless it is ‘clear and obvious’.
The game is also arguably faster than it’s ever been, so referees need to be extremely fit and quick to react. But who is the best referee in the Premier League right now?
Ranking factors
To help rank the right-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:
- Experience – how many games they’ve officiated
- Stature of games – which games they’ve officiated
- Reputation – Records in big games
15
Thomas Bramall
One of the least experienced referees in the Premier League, Thomas Bramall was the man in the middle that made a huge mistake by disallowing Aston Vila’s goal against Man Utd on the final day of the 2024/25 season.
That arguably cost Villa a place in the Champions League, but the PGMOL have stuck with Bramall, who, at 35 years of age, appears to be a referee in the early stages of his top flight career. Last season, he took charge of 22 Premier League games – handing out just one red card.
14
Farai Hallam
The most inexperienced referee in the Premier League, Farai Hallam has shown plenty of potential that he can become a top official. After taking charge of five top flight games last season, he’ll have his sights set on several more.
|
Farai Hallam 25/26 record |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
5 |
|
Yellow cards |
13 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
|
Penalties |
2 |
In that time, he dished out 13 yellow cards, but is yet to hand out a red card. On the penalties front, meanwhile, he awarded two spot kicks in his five Premier League games.
13
John Brooks
John Brooks took charge of just 12 Premier League games last season. In that time, he awarded two red cards and 44 yellow cards, whilst also awarding four penalties.
Since he was dropped in 2023 for two high-profile errors in the VAR room, Brooks has enjoyed a relatively routine run and will be officiating in the top flight this season.
12
Paul Tierney
For all the criticism that he receives, Paul Tierney is one of the most experienced referees in the Premier League these days. The 45-year-old has been officiating in the top flight for 10 years now.
|
Paul Tierney 25/26 record |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
12 |
|
Yellow cards |
40 |
|
Red cards |
2 |
|
Penalties |
1 |
Last season was not one to remember, however, after taking charge of 12 Premier League games – dishing out two red cards in that time.
11
Andy Madley
A FIFA licensed referee who took charge of 21 Premier League games last season, Andy Madley has been officiating in the top flight since 2017/18.
|
Andy Madley 25/26 record |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
21 |
|
Yellow cards |
67 |
|
Red cards |
5 |
|
Penalties |
6 |
It was another hectic campaign last time out. In the 21 league games that he did officiate, Madley dished out as many as five red cards and awarded six penalties.
10
Simon Hooper
Often blowing early instead of allowing advantage, Simon Hooper has enraged Premier League players and managers in recent years.
An experienced top flight official after making his debut in 2015, Hooper has often come in for criticism despite officiating as many as 15 Premier League last season – dishing out 60 yellow cards.
9
Robert Jones
Nottingham Forest aren’t the biggest fans of Robert Jones, with Evangelos Marinakis’ side lodging an official complaint against the 38-year-old after a series of decisions against the Tricky Trees in 2025.
|
Robert Jones 25/26 record |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
18 |
|
Yellow cards |
75 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
|
Penalties |
5 |
He was the first Premier League referee to ever perform a red-card rejection, but some of Jones’ decisions are controversial and he awarded five penalties last season.
8
Darren England
Another FIFA referee, Darren England caught the eye of the international governing body after two years as a Premier League official.
He was a part of the VAR team that somehow incorrectly ruled out the infamous Luis Diaz goal in Liverpool’s defeat to Tottenham a couple of years ago, but in recent times, he has been consistent – even officiating the FA Cup final last season.
7
Peter Bankes
Peter Bankes has now reffed more than 100 games in the Premier League since 2019, however, the Merseyside-born official has regularly come in for criticism from fans.
Former referee Keith Hackett even said Bankes looked “out of his depth” in 2025 after a decision he made in Man Utd’s clash with Bournemouth. Nonetheless, he still went onto take charge of the Carabao Cup last season.
6
Samuel Barrott
One of the card happiest referees in the Premier League, Samuel Barrott is one of the most inexperienced officials in the top flight after making his debut in 2023/24.
|
Samuel Barrott 25/26 record |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
24 |
|
Yellow cards |
88 |
|
Red cards |
1 |
|
Penalties |
7 |
He took charge of 24 games in 2025/26 and gave out just one red card in that time. His most notable game was Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in which he showed seven yellow cards.
