Premier League referees have been blocked from taking on one-off games in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to a report.

Former FIFA referee Howard Webb speaks during the launch of FIFA's Anti-Discrimination Monitoring System at Wembley Stadium in west London on May 12, 2015, which will be implemented in the 2018 World Cup. FIFA will send observers trained by the European anti-discrimination organisation FARE to qualifying matches where there is felt to be a high risk of racist behaviour from fans. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Howard Webb speaks during the launch of FIFA’s Anti-Discrimination Monitoring System at Wembley Stadium in west London on May 12, 2015. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Martyn Ziegler reports for The Times that Howard Webb decided last October that approval to officiate matches in Saudi Arabia and the UAE would only be granted to PGMOL referees if there was a development opportunity for them.

In other words, whilst a young referee might be allowed to go and referee in Saudi Arabia to gain experience, a top Premier League official would be blocked from doing so.

Since that decision, no requests have been made to PGMOL for such one-off matches.

manchester city fc v arsenal fc premier league 5
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

PGMOL had previously approved Michael Oliver refereeing matches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as Darren England and Dan Cook taking on similar jobs.

But it wasn’t a good look from a fan perspective. Manchester City are owned by the vice-president of the UAE, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund own Newcastle United.

Supporters were understandably asking questions about how the referees could remain impartial when they were taking on side gigs from people close to the owners of Premier League clubs.

At least in the case of Oliver’s trip to Saudi Arabia, there was little chance of a conflict of interest. As a Newcastle United fan, he’s already been blocked from refereeing their games.

But Oliver’s job in the UAE was certainly a topic of discussion after his controversial decision to send off Leandro Trossard against Manchester City.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Players react as Referee, Michael Oliver shows a red card to Leandro Trossard of Arsenal (obscured) during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Players react as Referee, Michael Oliver shows a red card to Leandro Trossard of Arsenal (obscured) during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Perhaps another incentive to block these trips is a financial one, after the PGMOL lost their case against HMRC in the Supreme Court last week.

With HMRC deeming referees to be employees of PGMOL, not freelancers, PGMOL will now pick up their tax liability. So it would be in their best interests to stop referees from working in other leagues.

The end result is the same either way. It seems Oliver and co. will have to stick to their day jobs from now on.