A Premier League match has a league-appointed match delegate in attendance, acting as the league's official representative and reporting back on the game. After the match, the referee also sends the team sheets to the board and files reports on facilities, the pitch, delays, discipline and rule breaches.
Who attends on the league's behalf
The league appoints a match delegate for every league match. That person attends as the league's official representative at the fixture.
The home club must provide the match delegate with a prime seat and access to all areas of the stadium. The delegate also reports on the match to the league.
What the referee reports after a match
Here is what the referee reports to the board after a match.
| Subject | Reported |
|---|---|
| Facilities for match officials | The standard the home club provided |
| Match officials | Any late arrival, with reasons |
| The pitch | Its condition |
| Kick-off or restart | The circumstances of any delay |
| Discipline | Any player cautioned or sent off |
| Anything else | Any other matter the referee thinks the board should know |
The referee's other reporting duties
The referee's post-match paperwork goes beyond the subjects above. As soon as practicable after the match, the referee sends the team sheets to the board as a separate submission.
The reporting also covers either team starting with fewer than a full complement of players, any ordered change of strip, and any case where an assistant referee takes over as referee, with the reason for that change.
Rule compliance is part of the same job. The reports also cover any breach of the rules by clubs, players, officials, managers or other match officials, and any breach of The Football Association rules is reported separately to that association.
How the match delegate and referee differ
Both have reporting duties after the match, but they do different jobs. The match delegate attends as the league's official representative and reports on the match to the league.
The referee files formal post-match material to the board, including the team sheets and a set of reports on match operation, discipline, conditions and any relevant breaches. One role is the league's on-site representation; the other is the referee's formal reporting duty after the game.
FAQ
Who represents the Premier League at a match?
The match delegate does. The league appoints one for each league match, and that person attends as the league's official representative.
Does the referee write a report after a Premier League game?
Yes. The referee sends the team sheets to the board and also files post-match reports covering a range of operational and disciplinary matters.
What must the home club provide for the match delegate?
The delegate attends the match on the league's behalf and reports on it to the league. The home club must also give the delegate a prime seat and access to all areas of the stadium.
Can the referee report something that is not on the standard list?
Yes. The referee may report any other matter considered appropriate to bring to the board's attention, and any breach of The Football Association rules is reported separately to that association.