PGMOL Chief Denies Wrongdoing in High-Profile Tribunal
Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer for the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), has appeared at an employment tribunal to defend the organisation against serious allegations made by former international referee Lisa Benn. The hearing, which took place on Thursday, 21st November 2025, centres on Benn's claims that she lost her position after submitting a complaint against a colleague.
The Core Allegations: Demotion and Harassment
Lisa Benn, a 34-year-old official, alleges that she was grabbed and threatened by assistant referee coach Steve Child during a VAR training tournament in March 2023. She claims he "forcefully pushed" her onto a pitch and later told her, "your card has been marked." Following her formal complaint about this incident, which she described as being "manhandled," Benn states she was subsequently demoted.
This demotion saw her fall from fifth to sixth place in the PGMOL's nominations for FIFA's prestigious international list. As a direct consequence of this lower ranking, she lost her PGMOL contract as a women's select group match official. Benn is claiming she experienced sex-based discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and unfair dismissal.
PGMOL's Defence and Webb's Testimony
The PGMOL, which manages professional football referees in England, denies all allegations. Appearing before the tribunal, Howard Webb stated that the organisation wants its officials to be able to report concerns "without any fear of any consequence." He emphasised the desire for open communication to ensure the best officials are performing on the field.
Webb expressed that he "fully understands Lisa’s disappointment" but explained the competitive nature of the selection process. He revealed that while FIFA normally accepts only five officials onto its international list, the PGMOL had "high expectations" that an exception would be made for a sixth spot in 2024 due to the growth of the women's game, a hope that ultimately did not materialise.
Contested Evidence and Ongoing Proceedings
Steve Child, the coach at the centre of the allegations, also gave testimony on Wednesday. He denied manhandling Benn, characterising his action as "a guiding arm if anything." He also explicitly denied telling her that her "card was marked." A previous internal PGMOL investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to take disciplinary action against Child.
The tribunal continues to examine the evidence as it determines the outcome of Lisa Benn's claims against the refereeing governing body.
