EFL referees have won a tax battle against HM Revenue & Customs after a lengthy legal battle that has lasted a full decade.
A tribunal has handed down a major ruling confirming that English football referees working in League One, League Two and further down the pyramid are self-employed, not employees.
HMRC had been chasing Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) for £584,000, claiming unpaid taxes on matches officiated between 2014 and 2016.
The tax authority said these referees should be treated as payrolled staff because they were under the control of the not-for-profit organisation that manages match officials.
EFL referees have won a tax battle against HMRC
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The tribunal found that while HMRC could tick two of its key tests, the relationship between PGMOL and the referees simply didn’t have “the defining hallmarks of employment”.
It found that the officials in question maintained other income streams and were not financially reliant on PGMOL for their livelihoods.
Crucially, referees retained the freedom to accept or turn down match assignments as they saw fit.
Rather than being directed or overseen by PGMOL in carrying out their core duties, the officials operated according to Football Association regulations.
The ruling does not apply to Premier League or Championship officials
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The ruling said: “This is not a finely balanced case. What emerges… is the picture of skilled professionals participating voluntarily in a regulated framework, undertaking discrete engagements for remuneration while retaining substantial autonomy and independence.”
The tribunal acknowledged that while HMRC could satisfy two of its key tests, these factors were insufficient to establish an employment relationship given the broader context of how referees operated.
The case specifically concerned “National Group” referees and assistant referees, who oversee fixtures in League One, League Two and divisions below.
PGMOL has acknowledged that its “Select Group” officials, who work Premier League and Championship matches, are employees owing to mandatory attendance requirements for all meetings and training sessions.
The tribunal acknowledged that while HMRC could satisfy two of its key tests
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PAThe distinction carries substantial financial implications, with self-employed status offering considerable tax advantages, as companies avoid paying employer national insurance contributions of 15 per cent on salaries exceeding £5,000.
Self-employed individuals can also claim a higher hourly rate, pay reduced national insurance contributions, and deduct expenses from their tax liability.
HMRC has pursued numerous legal battles in recent years targeting individuals working on a self-employed basis where their arrangements resemble traditional employment.
The decision against HMRC holds direct relevance for officials in other sports
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GETTYFreelancer advocacy groups contend that the balance has shifted excessively, with many self-employed workers being wrongly categorised as employees under IR35 rules because hiring firms fear substantial HMRC tax claims.
The decision, while not establishing legal precedent and potentially subject to appeal, has been monitored closely by organisations engaging contractors on an ad hoc basis.
It holds direct relevance for officials in other sports, including rugby, cricket and tennis, and could affect contractors in regulated sectors such as medicine, finance and professional services.