Barrett, 31, was added to the list of EFL referees in 2020 and will take charge of his first Championship game in November 2022. Since then, he has been one of the key beneficiaries of PGMOL’s new fast-track program to identify the best young referees. and move them through levels quickly, a process that previously took years.
The former Halifax Town youth player, who was forced to retire as a teenager due to injury, has been promoted to the Select Group 2 list, primarily to referee the Championship in the summer of 2023. used to do His first Premier League game came in October 2023, after just 10 appearances in the second tier.
Beirut took charge of 15 Premier League fixtures in 2023–24, and their level of performance was such that they were permanently promoted to Select Group 1 in the summer of 2024. This month, he was appointed to a Big Six fixture for the first time. , Referencing weapon Vs Manchester United and clashes between Sundays Tottenham Hotspur And Liverpool.
His rise up the FIFA and UEFA lists was marked by his appointment as fourth official in several European matches in the first half of the season, but now – a total of just 26 Premier League matches. After — they are eligible to take charge. of the games themselves.
Barrett replaces Craig Pawson, who was reducing his involvement in international football, in the “other” category of UEFA officials. Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver are England’s two representatives in the “elite” category, although France, Germany, Italy and Spain each have three at the top level. John Brooks and Chris Kavanagh are on the “first” list for England.
Since the PGMOL introduced the Fast Track programme, seven referees from outside Select Group 1 have taken charge of Premier League games: Birot, Sunny Singh Gill, Sam Allison, Bobby Medley, Josh Smith, Rebecca Welch and Lewis Smith.
It is designed to attract new officials as well as retain more talented young officials in the system by offering clearly defined career progression. Including former players.