Lee Mason

Lee Stephen Mason (born 29 October 1971) is the English professional referee who was video assistant referee primarily in the Premier League. He was born in Sunderland. He was sacked as video assistant referee after incorrectly allowed Ivan Toney's goal in the Premier League match on 11th February 2023 and it was Arsenal versus Brentford.

Lee Mason

Mason issues a red card during a match in 2010
Full name	Lee Stephen Mason
Born	(1971-10-29) 29 October 1971 (age 52) Bolton, Lancashire, England
Domestic
Years	League	Role
1992–1996	North West Counties League	Assistant referee
1996—1998	North West Counties League	Referee
1998—2000	The Football League	Assistant referee
2000—2002	Premier League	Assistant referee
2002—2006	The Football League	Referee
2006–2021	Premier League	Referee
2021—2023	Premier League	VAR

Mason is a former chairman of Sunderland’s Referees' Society and is associated with the North East County Football Association.

Education and family

He attended Thornleigh College in Bolton and then the Liverpool Institute of Higher Education 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 club.

Mason's younger brother, Andy, is a former professional footballer who was a trainee at Bolton Wanderers, and played professionally for Hull City, among others, before ending up playing in Non-League.

He retired from on-field duties at the end of the 2020–21 season, but will become the league's first dedicated Video Assistant Referee from the 2021—22 season.