Referee Structure & Pathway

The Referee Committee determines the classification of categories 1 to 4 for each season. This is the National List of Referees.

All other categories are determined by the manager of each of the Referees’ Associations. The Scottish FA appoints a manager (and an assistant manager where required, depending on the size of the Association) to oversee operations within each Referees’ Association. They operate a development plan to assist in the progress of referees through the categories and on to the List of Referees.

Referees’ Associations use experienced referees as advisers in grassroots football to identify talented referees and to set them on the pathway.  

Referees making progress in their careers then come under the eye of referee development advisers in Junior and Amateur football.

Thereafter, the national group of 30 referee observers assess referees from Category 3 development upwards in conjunction with the national Development Plan, particularly in respect of Category 3 Development and Category 3 referees to identify those worthy of consideration for promotion. The level of assessment increase as referees progress through the categories and the information gathered assists the Referee Committee in deciding the composition of the List of Referees for each season. There are also 10 assistant referee observers who assess the performance of assistant referees, predominantly in the SPFL competitions. The role of assistant referee observer was created in 2013 given the focus which is increasingly placed on the performance of assistant referees in top level football. The referee observers cover approximately 1,200 matches each season.

At all levels, the aim of assessing referees is to provide guidance, coaching and support to aid the continuing development of referees as well as providing an evaluative appraisal of performances.

Referee Pathway