BEING a referee is one of the trickiest jobs in sport but Paul Tierney has been successful in the role for decades.
The ref is one of the best known in the UK and is used to having all eyes on him as he oversees football games.
Who is Premier League referee Paul Tierney?
Paul Tierney is a football referee from Wigan, Greater Manchester.
He was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1980, in Belfast and moved to Wigan when he was 11.
He was promoted to the National List of Referees in 2009, and was an assistant referee for the 2009 FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Tierney first refereed in the Premier League in August 2014, and became part of the Select Group for the 2016/17 season.
Read More on Football
Select Group refs predominantly officiate in the Premier League.
He officiated the 2023 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Ahead of the match, Tierney denied he is a supporter of either team, telling The FA: “It’s a great fixture to be refereeing too…there is the common assumption that because I’m from Wigan I must support one of them.
“I was actually born in Belfast and only moved to Wigan when I was eleven and it’s actually going to be the first time that I’ve refereed a Manchester derby so I’m looking forward to it.”
Most read in Football
In May 2023, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was hit with a one game ban, with a further game suspended until the end of the next season, for slamming Tierney.
Klopp, who accused the official of having an agenda against his side, was also fined £75,000.
What is Paul Tierney’s net worth?
Tierney’s net worth is unknown although peopleai.com estimates it to be around £853,000.
Referees in the Premier League’s receive much smaller pay packets than the players.
According to Sporting Free, Premier League refs take home up to around £70-£200k per year.
They also earn a match fee in addition to their basic salary.
This fee is thought to be £1,500 for official referees and £850 for assistant referees and video assistant refs.
Is Paul Tierney married and does he have any children?
Paul is married to the mother of former rugby league player Lewis Tierney.
Lewis’ father, Jason Robinson, and his mum split up not long after he was born.
His mother then remarried Paul and Lewis appears to be close with his step-dad.
It is not publicly known whether Paul and his wife share any children together.
Read More on The Sun
Lewis, meanwhile, announced his retirement from rugby in November 2021.
He started his professional career with the Wigan Warriors and went on to represent Workington Towns, Catalan Dragons and Leigh Centurions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
