Tribunal rules in favour of Referees

An industrial tribunal has ruled in favour of four assistant referees who had to retire at age 48.

The Premier League and the Football League have a set retirement age but the tribunal found that the retirement age and the enforced retirement was discriminatory under the age discrimination law.

One of the referees involved is Hereford based Andy Williams.

The Prospect trade union represented Williams at a tribunal in Sheffield last month but the ruling has only just been announced.

The union contended that as some officials had been given exemptions to continue beyond the retirement age it was contesting that 48 was an appropiate age to retire.

"This is a significant judgement and we look forward to negotiating new arrangements that ensure the best and fittest officials, regardless of age, are able to officiate at the highest levels, while still providing career opportunities for younger officials," was the comment from Alan Leighton, national secretary of Prospect.

"The tribunal’s decision may also have implications for officials due to retire at the end of this season.”

The tribunal still has to determine whether the officials can be re-instated and, if not, whether they can claim compensation.

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