Bhupinder Singh Gill to script history as Premier League's first Sikh-Punjabi referee

Bhupinder Singh Gill will script history on Wednesday when he is named as the first Sikh-Punjabi referee to officiate in a Premier League match during Southampton's game against Nottingham Forest. The 37-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his father, Jarnail Singh, who oversaw more than 150 games between 2004 and 2010 and became the English Football League's first turbaned referee.

Sunny, Bhupinder's brother, made history earlier this season when he presided over a League Two match between Northampton and Hartlepool, becoming the first British South Asian referee since his father.

"This has to be the proudest and most exciting moment in my refereeing journey so far, but I'm not getting carried away as it is just another step in the direction to where I want to get to. My family are also really proud and excited for me. I wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for my dad, who has supported me throughout my journey and



been a role model for me. He's taken leave from work to make sure he attends the game alongside my wife and son. It'll be special to have them there," Bhupinder said as quoted by ESPN.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the organisation in charge of overseeing refereeing in England, has applauded Gill's appointment, according to Howard Webb, the organization's chief refereeing officer. Webb, a former Premier League official who left the Professional Referee Organization for Major League Soccer in December and returned to England, oversaw the 2010 World Cup final.

"Hopefully this is another moment to help inspire the next generation to sign up to a refereeing course and get into officiating. My dream has always been to reach the top of the game, be a role model for future officials and encourage more people from diverse backgrounds into officiating, especially from a South Asian background just like me," added Gill.