By OkayGoal
Referees in the Women’s Super League will have to wait until the 2029-30 season to become full-time professionals, the Guardian reported on Thursday. The timeline was set even though the league’s clubs have just approved a major increase in funding for match officials.
According to the report, the extra money was agreed at the most recent WSL Football board meeting. It is understood to be aimed at three areas: officials’ education, the analysis of their performances, and their physical conditioning.
The 2029-30 campaign is the season agreed for WSL referees to be employed by Pro Ref. That body, previously known as PGMOL, runs match officiating across English professional football. The Guardian said none of the parties involved has ruled out making the move earlier.
The date will disappoint some people. The Guardian reported unhappiness within the elite women’s game about how long the change will take, at a time when calls for fully professional officials in the top tier have been growing louder.
For now, the new investment is meant to raise standards among the existing group of officials. Full-time contracts are a separate matter. Under the reported plan, those contracts are still three seasons away, which means the current campaign and the two that follow would be refereed under the existing arrangements unless the schedule is brought forward.
Neither WSL Football nor Pro Ref has made a public statement on the plan, and the figure behind the funding increase has not been disclosed. The 2029-30 target therefore rests on the Guardian’s reporting until either body confirms it.
