As part of our series exploring what's new in the Premier League for 2025/26, we take a closer look at the latest developments at Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO).
These include the additions of six new match officials who are set to feature in Premier League matches, the appointment of a new Video Assistant Referee (VAR) performance coach, and a new kit partnership with PUMA.
Six new referees join PGMO for 2025/26
Lewis Smith, Farai Hallam, Adam Herczeg, Tom Kirk, Ruebyn Ricardo and Ben Toner have been promoted by PGMO to a supplementary list for the Select Group 1, which serves both the Premier League and EFL for 2025/26.
Smith is no stranger to the Premier League and has refereed nine top-flight matches since joining PGMO’s Development Group.
Also coming through the same programme, Hallam and Ricardo officiated in the Championship last season. Kirk has continued his progress through the traditional pathway, also gaining experience in the Championship.
Meet PGMO's six promoted officials
Lewis Smith, Farai Hallam, Adam Herczeg (left to right)
Herczeg and Toner have also featured in the second tier of English football, earning their promotion on the back of strong seasons in the EFL.
Tom Kirk, Ruebyn Ricardo and Ben Toner (left to right)
Blom appointed VAR performance coach
Former FIFA official Kevin Blom has also joined PGMO in the role of VAR performance coach ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Blom brings a wealth of on-field experience, both as a top-level referee in the Netherlands and as a FIFA referee who regularly officiated in UEFA and FIFA matches. He also has a significant background in operating as a video match official (VMO), such as in EUROP 2020.
PUMA named as PGMO's new kit partner
Officials will also be in new kits this season after PGMO announced a partnership with PUMA.
The global sportswear brand becomes the official kit partner of PGMO, supplying high-performance apparel to match officials in both the men’s and women’s professional game pathways.
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