Martin Atkinson and Jon Moss will retire from their roles as Premier League referees at the end of this season. The pair will take up backroom roles at the Professional Game Match Official Limited (PGMOL). Atkinson, 51, will coach the Select Group 1 (the pool of Premier League referees), while Moss, also 51, will manage the group. Atkinson refereed his first Premier League game in 2005, with Moss taking charge of his first match at that level in 2010.
Their retirement follows that of another experienced Premier League official, Mike Dean, who has been a top-flight official since 2000. When asked earlier this month about what he will do following his retirement, Dean said: “Contrary to reports and speculation, I have been offered no VAR role at all, that is just word of mouth I think. It could be there if I wanted to go for it, but I don't know yet. I need to keep my options open and see what is available.”
Jarred Gillett, Michael Salisbury, Tony Harrington and John Brooks, meanwhile, were promoted to the Select Group 1 last summer. There have been 22 different referees in the Premier League this season.
Source: The Athletic