Top 10 Best Premier League Referees of All Time - Ranked

Referees are often the most overlooked part of football, but the Premier League referees are different in this regard. EPL is very challenging; the referees also face a lot of tough situations where their perseverance is tested. Keeping control of a Premier League match is very challenging, but some of the referees have managed to do so accurately over the years and attained the tag of best Premier League referees of all time.

From Anthony Taylor to Mike Dean, from Howard Webb to Mark Clattenburg, these match officials have cemented their names in the category of best Premier League referees. They have not only controlled the high-profile matches, but also have kept the elite players in line time and again. Having said that, let’s take a look at the top 10 best referees in Premier League history.

List of Best Referees in Premier League History

Here's the list of best referees in Premier League history, who have officiated in the English top division while keeping a high standard in their work. The list has been prepared on the basis of longevity, legacy, achievements and overall performances of these names.

How We Ranked the Top 10 Best Premier League Referees of All Time?

In order to find out who is the best referee in Premier League of all time, we have ensured a few ranking factors that are listed down below:

• Decision Accuracy: A referee’s ability to make correct and rational on-field decisions for major incidents like penalties, free kicks, fouls, or offside calls.
• Time Management: Another critical factor is controlling and managing player behaviour and the pace of the game to prevent escalation is vital. They must ensure no wastage of time.
• Physical Fitness: The game has evolved so much over a period of time that a fit referee can make clear and concise decisions on the field. They can keep up with the pace.

Who is the Best Referee in Premier League of all Time?

Now that we have understood the ranking factors to assemble the best Premier League referees of all time list. Let's dive deep into their career, highlights, tenures and more.

10. Mike Riley (1996-2009)

One of the iconic characters in football, Mike Riley, is one of the best Premier League referees of all time. Not only did he officiate for 13 long seasons in the English top flight, but he also built a legacy in European football. Riley has officiated in 285 Premier League games during his time. Many football fans still remember his name due to his presence in Arsenal’s famous 2-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final showdown in 2002.

Riley previously served as the president of PGMOL, an organisation for professional match officials. He is now working as the Head of Refereeing in the Irish FA.

9. Martin Atkinson (2005-2022)

Martin Atkinson was one of the most respected best EPL referees ever, regardless of being a controversial figure. He had a unique style of refereeing, which made him a reliable figure in English football. Atkinson spent 17 years as a Premier League referee and was in charge of 462 games, his own way of controlling agitated players, made him a trusted referee at the European stage.

He was handed the match officiating job in the 2015 UEFA Europa League final, which was a major talking point about his illustrious career. Martin's most controversial match was the 2011 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Stoke City. He is now working at the Scottish FA as VAR manager.

8. Mark Halsey (1999-2013)

Mark Halsey is arguably the most respected referee in the English football fraternity, thanks to his 13-year-long eventful refereeing career. He was regarded as one of the best with the whistle and was acclaimed the tag of one of the best Premier League referees. He started his career in a high-octane match between Coventry City and Wimbledon.

Halsey went on to officiate in 279 Premier League matches before he announced his retirement in 2013. There is a popular belief that many fans attended league games just to see him. Hasley also overcame cancer in 2009 with his unwavering spirit and currently serves as the ambassador for the Steve Prescott Foundation (SPF) and is himself a fan of Queens Park Rangers.

7. Graham Poll (1993-2007)

If you talk about brave referees, then Graham Poll is the first name that will come to your mind. Composure, strong personality and outspoken behaviour made him one of the most favourite yet hated match officials in Europe. He was at the centre of a controversy when he handed Croatian defender Josip Simunic three yellow cards during a match against Australia in the group stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Poll enjoyed a successful career, but retired after the World Cup in 2007. Graham took charge of 330 Premier League games in 14 years. Thus, he is regarded as one of the best Premier League referees of all time.

6. Andre Marriner (2005-2023)

Next up on the list of best EPL referees ever, is Andre Marriner is our sixth pick on the list of the best Premier League referees of all time. If you search for the most memorable moments in the English top flight, then you will find Marriner officiating in many of those matches of English football. Questionable calls, heated on-field arguments with star players and a series of sending-offs, all these were integral parts of his career.

In his 18-year stay as a Premier League referee, Marriner rattled plenty of players and managers in 390 games until his retirement in 2023. He took charge of the 2013 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic, and was a FIFA referee for nearly 8 years.

5. Michael Oliver (2003-Present)

Michael Oliver is one of the current best Premier League referees, making his debut as a match official in the English top division at 25 in 2010. He became the youngest referee in the history of the competition. He has been a standout figure amongst the league referees due to his calmness and consistency. Oliver has earned a lot of respect from the players and the fans in England after he successfully officiated many high-profile matches.

However, Oliver's youthful yet stern character fell in the middle of a huge controversy after he sent Gianluigi Buffon in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Juventus. He has officiated 377 Premier League games so far and has been around the globe managing minutes in major competitions.

4. Anthony Taylor (2002- Present)

Another currently active name on our list of best Premier League referees of all time is Anthony Taylor. A name that will remain forever in the history book of football. Taylor officiated his first English Premier League match at the age of 31 in 2010, and has been around since then. He is one of the top names on the FIFA referee panel who has taken charge of the World Cup, Euro, Nations League, Champions League and Europa League fixtures.

Taylor is the first referee to officiate in two FA Cup Finals in 2017 and 2020, respectively. A former prison officer, he knows the art of controlling a game with calmness, great personality and respect. He was praised for his quick presence of mind during Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at the Euro. Anthony Taylor has officiated in more than 373 games in the English top flight.

3. Howard Webb (2003-2014)

One of the best referees in Premier League history, Howard Webb, the sitting Chief Refereeing Officer of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) – a body responsible for match officials across English football. Webb is a legendary figure in football and is regarded as one of the most celebrated and best Premier League referees of all time. His energetic presence on the turf, throughout his 11-year refereeing career in England.

Webb produced plenty of funny moments, which often came under the spotlight. Howard officiated in 296 matches in the English top flight. The Manchester United admirer made history when he officiated both the FIFA World Cup final and Champions League final in 2010. The legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson once called him ‘’the greatest manager in the country.”

2. Mike Dean (2000-2022)

The second on the list of the best referees in Premier League history is Mike Dean, the showman. He holds the record of the longest-serving match official in the English top flight for his 22 years of service. There was a time when the league management used to put their blind trust in him in high-profile matches because of his pressure-handling power.

Dean's funny run, eye contact with players and respectful behaviours on the field made him the centre of attraction on many occasions. Over the course of 561 games, Dean handed out a whopping 113 red cards in total. He is widely regarded as one of best Premier League referees of all time thanks to his legacy as a match official.

1. Mark Clattenburg (2004-2017)

Thirteen years, a rich legacy and plenty of iconic moments, this is how Mark Clattenburg is the answer to question of who is the best referee in Premier League of all time? Clattenburg's ability to handle players, he was a strong character with charismatic presence made him a celebrted figure in the English football. Mark had made his refereeing debut in 2004, he quickly rose in the ranks of the international match officials.

He took charge of 297 Premier League games in 13 years, and made some tough decisions in tight situations, earning unwavering support and respect in the stadiums. In 2016, he was awarded the best referee award at Golbe Soccer Awards after officiating the UEFA Champions League final and Euro final between Portugal and France.