English refs missing as FIFA confirm 2018 World Cup list

There will be no British referees at the 2018 World Cup in Russia for the first time in 80 years.

FIFA has announced 99 referees and assistants for the tournament, with none from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Mark Clattenburg was the only British referee picked as part of FIFA’s long list of officials in summer 2016 but forfeited his place when he left his job with the Premier League in February 2017 to move to Saudi Arabia.

The Football Association attempted to replace Clattenburg but its request was rejected by FIFA. That means there will be no British officials taking part at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.

England’s Howard Webb was Britain’s sole representative at the last two World Cups in 2010 and 2014, taking charge of the final in 2010 between Spain and Holland.

Video assistant referees (VAR) will be chosen from the pool of officials at the tournament, with all selected to attend a two week seminar at the Italian Football Association’s base in Coverciano later next month.

Europe will be represented by referees from Germany, Turkey, Russia, Holland, Poland, Spain, Serbia, Italy, Slovenia and France, while there are six each from Africa, Asia, North and South America and two from Oceania.

In total, four English referees have taken charge of the World Cup final – more than any other nation. George Reader oversaw Uruguay’s victory over Brazil in 1950, before William Ling officiated Germany’s surprise victory over Hungary four years later. Jack Taylor refereed West Germany’s 2-1 win over Holland in 1974 before Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time goal in 2010 under Webb.