Belgium: referees receive a salary increase for 2013/14

Referees in the Belgian first division will receive a wage increase, following a decision made by the Pro League, the Belgian league that runs the Jupiler Pro League (Belgian 1^st division), on the 24/07/2013. Had this agreement failed, the referees were threatening to go on strike for the first fixtures of the season (26 to 28/07/2013).

"Our referees appreciate this gesture made by the Pro League, and see it as a clear signal that Belgian arbitration is becoming more professional," said the URBSFA (Royal Belgian Football Association) on the 24/07/2013.

Until the end of the 2012/13 season, a Belgian first division referee would receive a fixed annual salary of €9,000, plus an added variable match bonus, depending on the referee's level, from €1,000 to €1,600 per match.

Details of the salary increase have not been disclosed, but the Belgian press estimate that it is around 20%.

• In France, a Ligue 1 referee receives:
  • gross monthly salary: €2,800
  • average match bonus: €2,500 
• La Liga is the European championship in which the referees are the best paid:
  • gross monthly salary…