# Lee Mason

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English football referee (born 1971)

For the Australian actor, see [Lee Mason (actor)](/source/Lee_Mason_(actor)).

Lee Mason Mason issues a red card during a match in 2010 Full name Lee Mason[1] Born (1971-10-29) 29 October 1971 (age 54) Bolton, Lancashire, England Domestic Years League Role 1992–1996 North West Counties League Assistant referee 1996–1998 North West Counties League Referee 1998–2000 Football League Assistant referee 2000–2002 Premier League Assistant referee 2002–2006 Football League Referee 2006–2021 Premier League Referee

**Lee Mason** (born 29 October 1971)[2] is a retired [referee](/source/Referee_(association_football)) from [Bolton](/source/Bolton), [Greater Manchester](/source/Greater_Manchester). From 2006 until 2021, Mason was on the list of [Select Group Referees](/source/Select_Group_Referees) who officiated in the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League).[2]

Mason is a former chairman of the Bolton Referees' Society and is associated with the [Lancashire County Football Association](/source/Lancashire_County_Football_Association).

## Education

Mason attended [Thornleigh Salesian College](/source/Thornleigh_Salesian_College) in Bolton and then the [Liverpool Institute of Higher Education](/source/Liverpool_Hope_University) between 1990 and 1993, living in Newman Hall, where he gained his degree. Whilst there he played for his college football team as well as being a regular compere, hosting a variety of social events at a [students' union](/source/Students'_union) club.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Family

Mason’s younger brother, [Andy](/source/Andy_Mason), is a former professional footballer who was a trainee at [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.), and played professionally for [Hull City](/source/Hull_City_A.F.C.) among others, before ending up playing in Non-League.[3][4]

## Career

Mason took up the whistle in 1988, officiating in the Bolton Boys' Federation League. He previously worked in the car rental industry.[5] In 1992, he was added to the [North West Counties Football League](/source/North_West_Counties_Football_League) assistant referees' list, and progressed to referee in that league four years later. He was included on [The Football League](/source/The_Football_League) list of assistant referees in 1998, and was added to the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) assistant referees' list in 2000.

In 2002, he was promoted to referee in the Football League, and his first match at that level was a [Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) match between [Shrewsbury Town](/source/Shrewsbury_Town_F.C.) and [Exeter City](/source/Exeter_City_F.C.) in August 2002, won 1–0 by the home side.[6]

Also in 2002, he took charge of that year's [FA County Youth Cup](/source/FA_County_Youth_Cup) final between Birmingham and Durham, which Birmingham won 2–1.[7]

Mason became a Development Group referee in 2003, and finally reached the Premier League list of [Select Group Referees](/source/Select_Group_Referees) in 2006. His first Premier League appointment came in February 2006, when [Middlesbrough](/source/Middlesbrough_F.C.) lost 4–0 at home to [Aston Villa](/source/Aston_Villa_F.C.).[8]

Later in 2006, he was appointed to referee the [Football League One](/source/Football_League_One) [play-off](/source/Football_League_play-offs) final between [Barnsley](/source/Barnsley_F.C.) and [Swansea City](/source/Swansea_City_A.F.C.) at [Cardiff](/source/Cardiff)'s [Millennium Stadium](/source/Millennium_Stadium), which Barnsley won on [penalties](/source/Penalty_shootout_(association_football)) after a 2–2 draw after [extra time](/source/Overtime_(sports)).[9]

He was widely praised in the press following his handling of a [League Cup](/source/Football_League_Cup) tie between [Chelsea](/source/Chelsea_F.C.) and Manchester United in October 2012. The two teams had met three days prior in an incident-filled Premier League fixture which United won 3–2 and Chelsea had two players sent off. During the League Cup match, Mason correctly awarded three penalties and was required to interpret and handle a number of other incidents. Chelsea won 5–4 after a 90th-minute penalty for the Blues, who were previously 3–2 down, forced the Cup tie into extra-time.[5][10]

Mason retired from on-field duties at the end of the [2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Premier_League) season, but became the league’s first dedicated Video Assistant Referee from the [2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Premier_League) season.[11] Mason left this position by mutual consent on February 17, 2023.[12]

## Controversy

In March 2015, Mason caused controversy in a 1–1 draw between [AFC Bournemouth](/source/AFC_Bournemouth) and [Cardiff City](/source/Cardiff_City) when he disallowed a goal scored by Bournemouth's [Callum Wilson](/source/Callum_Wilson_(footballer%2C_born_1992)), who had had the ball kicked against his back by Cardiff goalkeeper Simon Moore, which then looped onto the crossbar before Wilson converted it into the unguarded net. Wilson was booked for a perceived foul, while commentators struggled to establish which rule had been broken.[13][14]

In December 2020, Mason was severely criticised by [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.) coach [Nuno Espírito Santo](/source/Nuno_Esp%C3%ADrito_Santo) after a loss to [Burnley](/source/Burnley_F.C.), as not up to the Premier League standard for refereeing.[15][16] Espírito Santo refused to apologise for his comments but admitted they constituted improper conduct and was later fined £25,000 by the Football Association.[17]

On 27 February 2021, Mason controversially ruled out a goal by [Brighton](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C.)’s [Lewis Dunk](/source/Lewis_Dunk) in a 1–0 defeat at [West Bromwich Albion](/source/West_Bromwich_Albion_F.C.), causing strong criticism of Mason in the media and on [Sky Sports](/source/Sky_Sports).[18] Mason had blown his whistle allowing a quick free-kick to be taken, before then blowing his whistle again after the free kick had been taken, denying Dunk the goal.[19]

On 11 February 2023, Mason incorrectly allowed a [Brentford](/source/Brentford_F.C.) goal to stand in a 1–1 draw against [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.) at the [Emirates Stadium](/source/Emirates_Stadium), despite Brentford player [Christian Nørgaard](/source/Christian_N%C3%B8rgaard) being in an offside position in the lead-up to the goal.[20] The call drew widespread criticism and [chief refereeing officer](/source/Professional_Game_Match_Officials_Limited) [Howard Webb](/source/Howard_Webb) personally called Arsenal to apologize, citing "human error."[20][21]

## Statistics

Season Games Total per game Total per game 2002–03 24 94 3.92 3 0.13 2003–04 30 118 3.93 6 0.20 2004–05 36 108 3.00 3 0.08 2005–06 37 90 2.43 3 0.08 2006–07 33 87 2.64 3 0.09 2007–08 30 110 3.66 4 0.13 2008–09 34 132 3.88 8 0.23 2009–10 35 106 3.09 7 0.20 2010–11 33 135 4.09 5 0.15 2011–12 32 80 2.50 3 0.09 2012–13 30 108 3.60 3 0.11 2013–14 36 111 3.08 6 0.17 2014–15 33 101 3.06 6 0.18 2015–16 34 96 2.82 3 0.09 2016–17 25 96 3.84 3 0.12 2017–18 26 72 2.78 4 0.15 2018–19 32 99 3.09 3 0.09 2019–20 26 80 3.08 1 0.04 2020–21 22 46 2.09 2 0.09

Statistics are for all competitions. No records are available prior to 2002–03.[22]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["England - L. Mason - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway"](https://int.soccerway.com/referees/lee-stephen-mason/60456/). *int.soccerway.com*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-flprofile_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-flprofile_2-1) [Birthdate confirmation](http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/RefereeProfilesDetail/0,,10794~628215,00.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080828021214/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/RefereeProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10794~628215%2C00.html) 28 August 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) and biography: [the Football League](/source/The_Football_League) Official website.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Andy Mason (ex-footballer)](http://www.bufc.drfox.org.uk/amason.html), Lee's brother: [Boston United](/source/Boston_United_F.C.) website.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Andy Mason | Football Stats | 1993-2002 | Soccer Base"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4884). *Soccerbase*. Centurycomm Limited. Retrieved 17 June 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-menarticle_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-menarticle_5-1) ["Lee Mason stars without stealing the limelight - Manchester Evening News"](http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/s/1592634_lee-mason-stars-without-stealing-the-limelight). Retrieved 1 November 2012.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [First Football League match](http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=367117), Shrewsbury v. Exeter, Division Three, 2002: [soccerbase](/source/Soccerbase).com website.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [FA Youth Cup Final 2002](http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACountyYouthCup/History/Postings/2003/11/15087.htm), Birmingham v. Durham: [TheFA.com](/source/The_Football_Association) website.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [First Premier League match](http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=477081), Middlesbrough v. Aston Villa, 2006: soccerbase.com website.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [League One Play-Off Final 2006](http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=485273), Barnsley v. Swansea: soccerbase.com website.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Match Report: Chelsea 5-4 Manchester United - KensingtonChelseaToday"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121105202727/http://www.kensingtonandchelseatoday.co.uk/motoring-and-sport/sports/e4gd25k2xv.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.kensingtonandchelseatoday.co.uk/motoring-and-sport/sports/e4gd25k2xv.html) on 5 November 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Mason to call time on 15-year career"](https://www.premierleague.com/news/2146730). *Premier League*. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Mason leaves referees' body PGMOL after VAR error"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64683971). *BBC Sport*. Retrieved 18 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Bournemouth striker Wilson scores most ridiculous FIFA-esque disallowed goal v Cardiff"](https://metro.co.uk/2015/03/18/bournemouth-striker-callum-wilson-scores-the-most-ridiculous-fifa-esque-disallowed-goal-against-cardiff-5109438/). 18 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["AFC Bournemouth: Controversy as Cherries are held to draw at Cardiff City"](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11862251.afc-bournemouth-controversy-as-cherries-are-held-to-draw-at-cardiff-city/). *Bournemouth Echo*. 18 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Referee Mason 'not good enough' - Nuno"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55405256). *BBC Sport*. 21 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Referee 'not good enough' in 'tough' defeat - Nuno"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/55405111). *BBC Sport*. 21 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Wolves boss Nuno fined for ref criticism"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55566020). *BBC Sport*. 6 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["West Brom-Brighton referee 'shambles': Lee Mason disallows then gives goal before VAR rules it out"](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12230707/west-brom-brighton-referee-shambles-lee-mason-disallows-then-gives-goal-before-var-rules-it-out). [Sky Sports](/source/Sky_Sports). 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["West Brom 1-0 Brighton: Bizarre defeat for Seagulls after free-kick confusion"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56135045). BBC Sport. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_20-1) ["Arsenal and Brighton contacted by Howard Webb after 'significant' VAR errors"](https://talksport.com/football/1329615/arsenal-brighton-pgmol-referee-howard-webb-significant-var-errors/). *talkSPORT*. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["VAR mistakes caused by 'human error'"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64616645). *BBC Sport*. Retrieved 18 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Lee Mason | Latest Football Betting Odds | Soccer Base"](https://www.soccerbase.com/referees/referee.sd?referee_id=803). *www.soccerbase.com*.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Lee Mason](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Lee_Mason).

- [Lee Mason Profile](https://archive.today/20090809151715/http://www.refworld.com/referee/16/0/lee-mason) at Refworld.com

- [Lee Mason Referee Statistics](https://www.soccerbase.com/referees/referee.sd?referee_id=803) at [soccerbase](/source/Soccerbase).com

- [Profile on RateTheRef.net](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122084117/http://ratetheref.net/ref/view/91/lee-mason)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lee Mason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Mason) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Mason?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.