Howard Webb says refereeing in the Premier League makes the hairs on his neck stand-up.

Webb, 41, has been one of England's leading match officials since taking his first game in the top flight in 2003.

After picking up the whistle way back in 1989, his path to the top of football's referee ladder has taken in some of the biggest matches in world football. 

The Select Group official was back at Sheffield & Hallamshire FA offices recently, where his route to the Premier League and Champions League began.

He spoke to FATV about what it's like to referee in the Premier League and also how he manages the language barrier when officiating in Europe.

"It excites me being involved in Premier League football," he said. "The stadiums are nearly always full, there's a great buzz around. The interest in Premier League football around the world is huge.

"You walk out at five-to-three with a ball under your arm, you get into the arena and onto the pitch and the fans go crazy. It's a wonderful feeling and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It's a privilege to be involved.

"To be involved in games with some of the best players in the world, in exciting games, again, for someone who loves football like I do it's a fantastic place to be."

Webb, a FIFA Referee who was in the middle for the World Cup and Champions League Finals in 2010, also explained how he communicates with so many players from around the world.  

"What I've found over my experience is even players who have never played in English speaking countries still understand English by and large," he said.

"It's the universal language for match officials on tournaments, so all the officials from around the world on World Cups and European Championships have to speak English and have to pass an English test, including myself."

Webb added: "What we tend to use more is body language and there's certain things that are universal across the world in terms of body language.

"Sometimes, particularly on the big decisions, you need to give the decision, make it clear with your body language what the decision is, and that it's not open for debate and players will buy into it."

In this, the third of a six-part FATV series with the Rotherham-born referee, he also talks about how he builds confidence between himself and the players on the pitch. 

Watch part three in the FATV player above. Part four will follow next week...