Premier League referees ‘stopped from taking lucrative side jobs in Gulf states’… after Michael Oliver banked £3,000 for officiating in Saudi Arabia ahead of VAR horror show last season

Premier League referees are no longer attempting to negotiate officiating matches in the Middle East in what was previously a popular additional revenue stream for top officials, according to the Times.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) had previously been criticised by Premier League clubs and supporters after it emerged a number of referees had taken one-off jobs overseas.

Michael Oliver was paid £3,000 and given business-class flights when he travelled to Saudi Arabia to referee a top-flight match between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal last year.

The match fee was roughly double what Oliver would get for a Premier League fixture and the move was later repeated in the future with other leading English officials.

However, that practice has now stopped with the PGMOL not receiving any such requests from referees since last October, as reported by The Times.

PGMOL officials Darren England (middle) and Dan Cook (left) were also criticised for taking a one-off job in Saudi Arabia

PGMOL chief Howard Webb was previously relaxed about the situation with referees taking jobs overseas

The governing body’s chief, Howard Webb, was previously relaxed about the situation but later decided that requests for the lucrative employment opportunities will only be approved if there is a a ‘development opportunity’ for officials.

After his first game in Saudi Arabia, Oliver later returned with colleagues Darren England and Dan Cook for another Pro League clash in the oil-rich nation just days before the duo made a huge VAR mistake in a Premier League contest.

England and Cook completed a 16-hour round trip by flying back to London on Friday ahead of being on VAR duty for Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham just a day later.

Oliver is one of the Premier League’s most high-profile referees

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz was incorrectly denied a goal in the match against Spurs with the pair later criticised over making a ‘significant’ error.

PGMOL insiders had also previously defended their jet-setting officials, insisting it aids the positive reputation of English referees across the world. 

However, the body has now u-turned on their previous assessment with no officials appearing set for future luxury games abroad at the present time.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will have England on VAR duty for the first time in Saturday’s clash against Wolves since the previous mistake against Spurs last season.