August 24, 2022

The brief from today:

Howard Webb returning to England

Howard Webb, one of the more well known referees from England in the past two decades, will be returning in an administrative capacity to his home country. Webb, a former police officer, was a Premier League referee from 2003-2014, and in that period officiated virtually all the major league matches, as well as the League and FA Cup finals. On the international scene, he would also become a UEFA and FIFA referee beginning in 2005, a position that would eventually see him take charge of two major matches in 2010: the Champions League and World Cup finals. Webb retired from refereeing in 2014 and immediately went to the management side of the profession, taking up the role as technical director of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Following that, he would move on to head the Saudi Arabia Football Association’s refereeing sector. In 2017, Webb took the manager position at Major League Soccer’s Professional Referee Organization (PRO) for their VAR operations. He held that post initially, but then eventually transitioned to the general manager role at PRO, signing a contract through 2022. His next destination has now been announced as of today, as he will be taking over from Mike Riley as the head of the PGMOL once his PRO contract expires. Webb released a brief statement regarding his upcoming role saying, “I am looking forward to returning to England and starting this new challenge when I have fulfilled my contract with PRO—it’s an excellent opportunity for me.” He will have his work cut out for him as there have been constant complaints revolving around referee performances in recent years, especially since the implementation of VAR. If he is able to transfer his firm, but fair, approach to refereeing—which earned him ample respect on the pitch—to his role as Chief Refereeing Officer, then his tenure at the PGMOL may prove to be equally successful.

Howard Webb returns to England to head the PGMOL

Newcastle flex financial muscle

Following the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia takeover of Newcastle in October 2021, the Premier League club essentially became the richest club in the world. In the first transfer window since the new ownership—the 2021/22 winter window—the club signed a few players to stave off relegation, and while they spent almost €112 million in total, it was spread out amongst a number of players like Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, and Chris Wood. Going into this summer they were displaying more restraint refusing to be overcharged for their various targets simply because of their financial strength. The club has so far invested modestly with Sven Botman from Lille being their main expenditure in the roughly €40 million range. Botman, 22, is still in line with the club’s current policy of only investing large sums on young talent with great potential, but that transfer fee still paled in comparison to what Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Manchester City have spent this summer. Today, however, Newcastle have made a statement signing displaying their financial muscle. The club have reached a potential €75 million—including add-ons—record transfer fee agreement with Real Sociedad for their attacker, Alexander Isak. While the price is lofty, it still aligns with Newcastle’s approach to sign young prospects with the Swedish striker still only 22. After being priced out of a move by PSG for ex-Reims striker, Hugo Ekitike, earlier this summer around the €40 million mark, Newcastle’s need for another option in attack alongside Callum Wilson had to be addressed with the window nearing its close. With two wins and a draw to start the season, the club look to be in fine form, and after such a massive investment, they seem to be making an early statement that they are aiming to challenge the traditional big six teams in the league.

A lot will be expected of Isak at Newcastle after the big money move