In a stunning rise through the refereeing ranks, Premier League official Sam Barrott has been promoted to the international lists of both FIFA and UEFA. This meteoric ascent comes after Barrott has officiated just 26 matches in England’s top flight, highlighting the Professional Game Match Officials Limited‘s (PGMOL) new fast-track program for identifying and elevating the most promising young referees.
Barrott, a former Halifax Town youth player whose playing career was cut short by injury as a teenager, only joined the list of English Football League (EFL) referees in 2020. His first Championship match came in November 2022, and less than a year later, he was promoted to Select Group 2, primarily overseeing second-tier fixtures.
Fast-Tracking Premier League Promotion
The PGMOL’s fast-track initiative aims to swiftly move the best young officiating talent up the ladder, a process that previously took years. Barrott, now 31, has been a key beneficiary of this program:
- October 2023: Makes Premier League debut after only 10 Championship matches
- 2023-24 Season: Referees 15 Premier League games
- Summer 2024: Permanently promoted to Select Group 1
Handling the Pressure of the Big Six
Barrott’s rapid rise saw him thrust into the spotlight of high-profile Premier League fixtures in December 2024, as he took charge of matches involving the traditional “Big Six” clubs for the first time. His appointments for Arsenal vs. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool signaled the trust placed in him by the PGMOL and the quality of his performances.
Sam’s promotion to the FIFA and UEFA lists is a testament to both his immense talent and the success of our fast-track program in nurturing the next generation of elite referees.
PGMOL Managing Director Mike Riley
Replacing Pawson on the International Stage
Barrott’s elevation sees him replace veteran referee Craig Pawson on the international lists, with Pawson having gradually reduced his involvement at that level. England now has three officials in UEFA’s top-tier “Elite” category:
- Anthony Taylor
- Michael Oliver
- Craig Pawson (departing)
While Barrott enters in the “Second” category, his swift progression domestically hints at the potential for further advancement in the coming years. The fast-track program has already seen seven referees from outside Select Group 1 officiate Premier League matches since its introduction:
| Sam Barrott | Rebecca Welch |
| Sunny Singh Gill | Lewis Smith |
| Sam Allison | Josh Smith |
| Bobby Madley |
Keeping Promising Referees in the System
By providing a clear pathway for career progression, the PGMOL aims to retain the most promising officials who may have previously been tempted to leave the professional game due to limited opportunities. This approach not only keeps talent in the system but also makes refereeing an attractive proposition for former players looking to stay involved in football.
As Sam Barrott’s fairytale journey from the EFL to the FIFA and UEFA lists in just over two years demonstrates, the fast-track program is successfully identifying and elevating the most talented young referees. With the support and trust of the PGMOL behind them, officials like Barrott can now dream of reaching the heights of refereeing on the biggest stages, both domestically and internationally, in record time.
