No British World Cup refs

There will be no British referee at the World Cup this summer, for the first time in 80 years.

Fifa formally yesterday selected its 36 officials for the tournament in Russia but, with Mark Clattenburg having been the only Briton on the long list that was collated two years ago, there was no prospect of a representative from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Clattenburg, who refereed the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France, left his job with the Premier League last year to become Saudi Arabia’s new head of referees and so forfeited his place.

The Football Association had tried to replace him but the request was rejected and there are also no British officials among the assistant referees, with the new video assistant referees to be chosen from the pool of officials at the tournament.

There has been a British official at every World Cup since the Second World War, with Howard Webb taking charge of the 2010 final and matches in Brazil in 2014.

Keith Hackett, the former referees’ chief, told The Daily Telegraph that the absence of British officials was “symptomatic of an ageing group of referees and a drop in the overall level”. He said: “We’ve lost people like Howard and Mark. They are difficult to replace. I also think the existing select group of referees are not challenged enough even when they are struggling to maintain form. It is not that there is a shortage of referees but a roadblock, and I would like to see more people who are doing well at the Select Group Two level being given a chance.”