Simon Hooper knows the feeling of scoring a goal, at least at youth level.

Long before he found himself at the centre of scrutiny, the Wiltshire-born referee was just another aspiring footballer, turning out for Swindon Town’s academy. In the hyper-scrutinised of top-flight refereeing, accusations of bias come with the territory — especially after a string of high-profile decisions.

That includes a particularly infamous call that left fuming — fans often tend to scoop out details about where the true allegiance of every match official might lie. So, does Hooper have a soft spot for any club? Mirror Sport takes a look at Hooper's background and the controversies he's been involved in so far in his officiating career.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

While referees aren’t allowed to officiate games involving teams they actively support, their footballing past is always a topic of intrigue. Hooper, born in 1982, grew up in Wiltshire and played in Swindon Town’s youth system until the age of 16.

His ties to the club are well-documented, though there’s little to suggest he remains an active supporter. Unlike some officials with well-known club allegiances, Hooper has managed to keep his preferences largely under wraps. There’s no public record of him declaring a favourite team as an adult, but his Swindon roots have led some to assume a lingering affection for the Robins.

Every Premier League referee makes mistakes, but Hooper has found himself at the heart of multiple high-profile blunders. Most recently, his decision to halt play in the dying moments of ’s 3-3 draw with —despite Erling Haaland setting up for a potential match-winner—sparked outrage.

The Norwegian striker’s reaction, which included confronting the official on the pitch as well as posting an incredulous “Wtf” on social media, summed up the mood in the Citizen's camp. Hooper has also been involved in other contentious moments, from denying a clear penalty against to overseeing the VAR chaos that wrongly ruled out Luis Díaz’s goal for against Tottenham.

While PGMOL has occasionally admitted errors and even dropped him from certain matches, he remains a regular in the Premier League’s refereeing lineup.

Referees don’t get the same lucrative contracts as the players they oversee, but the top officials still earn a tidy sum. Hooper, as an established Premier League referee, according to , takes home a basic salary in the range of £73,191-£147,258 per year.

On top of that, he pockets roughly £1,116 per match officiated, meaning a busy season can see his earnings rise significantly. For those who work as Video Assistant Referees (VAR), there’s an additional £837 per game.

The highest-paid referees in the league can earn upwards of £147,000, though Hooper’s exact ranking within the PGMOL remains unclear. Given his role in high-profile fixtures, his total annual earnings—including bonuses—are likely well into six figures.

Despite the intense scrutiny he faces on the pitch, Hooper has largely kept his private life out of the limelight. Little is publicly known about his family, including whether he is married. Unlike some of his refereeing colleagues who engage in media appearances or social media, Hooper maintains a relatively low profile outside of his matchday duties.

What is clear, however, is that he remains a firm fixture in the Premier League refereeing circuit, despite the criticism and occasional controversy. Whether his decisions delight or infuriate fans, Simon Hooper isn’t disappearing from the game anytime soon.

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our