The Ref Watch segment on Sky Sports is a dedicated analysis where experts closely examine refereeing decisions in the English Premier League matches.
During this segment, the Ref Watch presenters dissect key moments from the weekend’s games and provide insights, critiques, and explanations about the referees’ performance.
The program is an engaging and informative part of Sky Sports’ football coverage because it sheds light on game controversies, challenges faced by referees, and their impact on the game.
Read on to know the profiles of the presenters and pundits on Ref Watch.
1. Rob Wotton
Rob Wotton has worked on Sky Sports News since it launched in 1998 and was previously the sports editor for Capital Radio.
His most regular role on Sky Sports News was in the early Saturday evening slot. He often discussed Premier League talking points and Football League goals after Jeff Stelling and the Soccer Saturday team had signed off.
Since joining Sky, Rob Wotton has presented several football productions, including Sky Sports’ Bundesliga and Northern Irish football, and participated in the team for Euro 2004 in Portugal.
Rob is the main presenter for Ref Watch. He invites experts, pundits, and commentators to discuss the refereeing decisions and other controversial moments in the English Premier League.
2. Dermot Gallagher
Dermot Gallagher is a retired Irish association football referee based in Banbury, Oxfordshire and one of the Ref Watch presenters. He was born on May 20, 1957, in Dublin, Ireland.
Gallagher refereed in the Premier League of English football between 1992 and 2007. Despite being Irish, he was among the top referees in the English Premier League.
The Irish national has been the face of Ref Watch since its inception. He analyses key moments from Premier League matches every week.
Gallagher uses his experience as a former referee to dissect the flashpoints from the latest round of the Premier League season.
He also discusses handball decisions, tight VAR calls, and other controversial moments in football.
But as a former referee, Dermot Gallagher has made some questionable decisions throughout his career.
People often accuse him of supporting the referee too much despite incorrect calls made by the officials in their respective matches.
3. Jay Bothroyd
Jay Bothroyd is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He was born on 7 May 1982 in Islington, London, England.
The former footballer has had a successful career, playing for various clubs in England and abroad. However, in recent times, he has transitioned into a different role related to football.
On Ref Watch, Bothroyd collaborates with other pundits and referee expert Dermot Gallagher to analyze and discuss contentious decisions made by referees during Premier League matches.
However, the former Cardiff City striker has only appeared on two segments in Ref Watch.
His first appearance was on 1 January 2024, where he commented on and analyzed three penalty calls from the Premier League fixtures at Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Fulham.
On 5 February 2024, Jay Bothroyd also analyzed penalty decisions from a Fulham game and the referee’s decision not to award Conor Gallagher a penalty in Chelsea’s clash with Wolves.
4. Sue Smith
Sue Smith was born Susan Jane Smith on 24 November 1979 in Prescot, England. She is a former English international footballer who last played as a winger for Doncaster Rovers Belles and England.
Sue Smith is one of the female Ref Watch presenters on Sky Sports.
She appears alongside Stephen Warnock and Dermot Gallagher to engage in insightful discussions about contentious refereeing decisions in football matches.
In particular, the former footballer provides valuable analysis and commentary on incidents that raise questions about penalties, goals, and other key moments during games.
Her expertise and perspective contribute to the show’s comprehensive coverage of match officiating.
5. Stephen Warnock
Stephen Warnock is a former professional footballer who played as a left-back for many teams in England, including Liverpool and Wigan Athletic. He was born on 12 December 1981 in Ormskirk, England.
After retiring from football in 2018, Stephen Warnock became a regular football pundit and commentator on radio and television.
He has covered the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Copa Libertadores, and EFL for the BBC, TNT Sport, DAZN, Quest TV, Sky Sports, and NBC Sports.
Furthermore, Stephen Warnock has regularly appeared on Ref Watch to provide expert analysis and insights on refereeing decisions during Premier League matches.
He has also played a crucial role in adding depth to viewers’ understanding of the game and the intricacies of officiating.
