World Cup referees are set to earn a staggering $100,000 (£75,000) each for officiating at the tournament this summer, with potential bonuses for those selected for the latter stages and the final. This marks approximately double the pay they received for the 2014 World Cup, as FIFA aims to secure the best officials globally.
English Referees in Line for Big Pay Day
England's top referees, Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, have been selected by FIFA and are therefore in line for a substantial payday. If either is chosen for the final—which is only possible if England do not reach the showpiece on July 19—they could receive significant bonuses on top of their base fee. Jarred Gillett, a Premier League official, will also be at the World Cup as a specialist VAR official.
Current Earnings of Premier League Referees
Oliver and Taylor have already earned around £250,000 this season for refereeing in the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League matches. Last year, the EFL revealed to clubs that the average Premier League referee earns between £170,000 and £180,000 in match fees and bonuses. Top-flight officials receive a base salary ranging from £72,000 to £148,000, depending on experience and seniority, which is then boosted by performance-related pay and match fees. Even junior referees in the Premier League's Select One category can earn approximately £125,000 per year as a starting point.
New Rules and VAR Protocols at the World Cup
FIFA has introduced new rules and VAR protocols for referees at the World Cup. VARs will now be able to intervene and disallow goals for a foul by the attacker even before the ball is in play. There is also a crackdown on time-wasting: substitutes must leave the pitch within ten seconds, and players who go off for treatment will have to stay off the pitch for a full minute. For the first time, VARs will have the power to change a decision on a corner if it was wrongly awarded and to review sendings-off caused by a second yellow card.
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