Howard Webb retires from refereeing & takes key officials role

Howard Webb was involved in nine major international tournaments, including officiating the 2010 World Cup final

Howard Webb has ended his 25-year refereeing career after being appointed technical director of the official referees' association.

Webb has officiated 500 Premier League and Football League matches and the 2010 World Cup final.

The 43-year-old began his career in 1989, progressing through the Northern Counties and Football League to become a Select Group referee in 2003.

"I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career," said Webb.

Webb was involved in nine major international tournaments, took charge of the Champions League final and also officiated in every major domestic final.

During this year's World Cup in Brazil, he refereed the Group C match between Colombia and Ivory Coast, and the first knockout match between Brazil and Chile.

In 2011 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to football.

Howard Webb was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to football

"Refereeing has given me so much and I think it's important that match officials who have had the rewards remain in the game to pass on their knowledge," he said.

As technical director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), Webb will be responsible for overseeing the technical direction and standards that govern match officials.

"The current Select Group are the best referees this country has ever produced and I am thrilled that I not only get the chance to continue working with them but also the opportunity to help develop the next generation," he added.

"It's an incredibly positive working environment and we all have a common goal of improving refereeing."