John Brooks

John Edmund Cornwall Brooks, born in 1990 in Melton Mowbray, England, is an English football referee who currently officiates in the Premier League. He began his refereeing career at the age of 14 and was an assistant at the elite level between 2012 and 2016, participating in events such as the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

In 2016, he became a main referee in the English Football League, and in 2021 he was promoted to the Select Group 1, making his Premier League debut in December of that year. His progression was internationally recognized when he was included in the FIFA 2023 list and promoted to the First Category of UEFA in 2024.

Brooks has been at the center of several controversies, such as the VAR error in a disallowed goal for Brighton in 2023, which cost him two games without duties. He was also in the spotlight for expelling Virgil van Dijk in a match between Newcastle and Liverpool, sparking great debate.

In January 2025, he was the referee of the first match in England where VAR decision announcements were tested inside the stadium, a measure to increase transparency. His career stands out for his speed of advancement and his adaptation to modern football.