The fact that referees support football teams, even Premier League teams in some cases, is also hardly breaking news. Premier League laws state that they aren’t allowed to officiate games involving the teams they support nor are they allowed to cover their rivals games. Atkinson became an assistant referee in 1998 and has moved up the leagues ever since, making his premier league debut in April 2005. Prior to joining the Premier League, Pawson officiated in the football league, including the League 2 play-off final between Crewe and Cheltenham. Kavanagh’s debut in the Premier League came in 2017 when he was in the middle for West Brom v Southampton .

Source: Daily Mirror April 13, 2019 06:11 UTC