Queenslander becomes first foreign ref in English Premier League
Gold Coaster Jarred Gillett is to become the first English Premier League referee from outside the British Isles.
Referee Jarred Gillett officiating during the Round 25 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City in 2018. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
Gillett will referee Saturday’s match between Watford and Newcastle United, the league announced on Monday.
Th 34-year-old began refereeing in Australia’s A-League in the 2010-11 season. A much-travelled official, he has also officiated in the Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Saudi leagues.
Gillett has been officiating in the lower tier English Football League since April 2019 having moved to the UK to do post-doctoral research at Liverpool John Moores University.
He was promoted to a panel of Premier League referees ahead of this season and has already worked as a video assistant referee.
Republic of Ireland-born Dermot Gallagher officiated in the Premier League for a number of years.
Gallagher moved to England aged 16 and was registered to the Oxfordshire FA having competed his qualifications.
