Keith Hackett reacts as Leeds share official referee announcement on their club website

Keith Hackett has responded to changes made by PGMOL, which Leeds United have detailed on their website.

The PGMOL is a divisive organisation and, in an effort to potentially improve public perception, is set to transform its structure.

Like most Premier League managers, Daniel Farke has had plenty of his own run-ins with officials.

In March 2026, the German was handed a one-match ban following a red card.

Questions will, of course, be raised over whether these changes will have a positive impact and what they mean for Leeds.

But Hackett has shared concerns he has with the upcoming changes.

What changes are being made by PGMOL and how will it affect Leeds?

PGMOL is undergoing changes in England that will "help shape the future of refereeing."

The changes shared on Leeds United's website note that increased funding has arrived for officiating across the professional game.

Improved training and support for referees will also continue to be built on.

Meanwhile, Select Group 1, 2 and its Supplementary List have all merged into one organisation.

This will allow "greater competition and flexibility in appointments" for matches.

The changes will not necessarily affect Leeds directly, but it could see new officials take charge of games the Whites are involved.

With the new system, promoting Championship referees to the Premier League will be much easier as both sets are part of the one organisation.

Premier League Match Officials (PGMO) has also been renamed to Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref).

However, these changes have not been met kindly by former chief referee Hackett.

Keith Hackett questions referee standards amid Leeds announcement

Former PGMOL chief Hackett has reacted to the announcement and has some concerns over the changes.

Hackett stated: "I predicted some months ago that the PGMOL would merge SG1 ( Prem Lge) SG2 (Championship) referees. This avoids the promotion / relegation of Match Officials and potential legal challenges by the individuals through their Union.

"Frankly there are a small number of Premier League Referees who would have been on my radar for relegation to SG2. My observations is that they have struggled to establish themselves with their performances in the Premier League.

"Frankly all  the changes that Mike Riley introduced to the PGMOL when I retired has General Manager to take on the role of Premier League Referee Ambassador did in my opinion triggered the fall in standards.

"He off loaded experienced Referee Coaches former top referees and wiped out the role of Referee Assessor.

"Changing their role to Referee Coaches. Operating in a friendlier manner and less challenging than those Assessors operating under the levels of accountability with regard to performance and accountability. It was certainly some way off the vision that Philip Don and I had put in place."